arthritis

IPA/ɑːˈθraɪtɪs/
KK[ɑrθrˈaɪtəs]IPA/ɑːrˈθraɪtɪs/

arthritis — noun

1. an illness that makes the places where bones meet — such as the knees, fingers,

1.nounB2
Definition

an illness that makes the places where bones meet — such as the knees, fingers, or hips — sore, swollen, and difficult to move freely.

Example

Grandma Wei has arthritis in both knees and walks slowly with a cane.

have arthritis in [body part]

Cold winter mornings make Mr. Patel's arthritis flare up in his hands.

arthritis flare up

Common collocations
  • chronic arthritis
  • severe arthritis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • arthritis pain
  • ease arthritis
Synonyms
  • rheumatism

    older, informal term covering joint and muscle pain; less precise medically

  • osteoarthritis

    specific type caused by joint wear over time

Grammar Patterns

suffer from arthritis

have arthritis in [body part]

Usage Note

Uncountable: never 'an arthritis' or 'arthritises'. Often paired with the preposition 'in' to name the affected joint, and with the verbs 'have', 'suffer from', or 'be diagnosed with'.

Common Mistakes

She has an arthritis.
She has arthritis.
uncountable, no article.
He has arthritis on his fingers.
He has arthritis in his fingers.
use 'in' for the affected joint.

Word family

  • arthritic
    adjectiveC1
  • arthritic
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe painful conditions of the joints, but they differ in scope and precision. 'Arthritis' is the standard medical umbrella term — it names any disease where joints become inflamed, swollen, and stiff. 'Rheumatism' is an older everyday word that loosely covers aching joints and muscles; doctors rarely use it now. 'Osteoarthritis' is one specific type of arthritis, caused by long-term wear on the cartilage between bones, and is the kind most older people develop. 'Gout' is a different specific type, triggered by uric acid crystals, usually attacking the big toe with sudden severe pain. So a patient might say 'I have rheumatism' casually, while a doctor would write 'osteoarthritis of the right knee' on the chart.

arthritis ↗rheumatismosteoarthritis ↗gout

Common collocations

Nouns

  • arthritis pain
  • arthritis sufferer
  • arthritis treatment
  • arthritis medication

Adverbs

Phrases

  • suffer from arthritis
  • be diagnosed with arthritis
  • develop arthritis
  • ease arthritis pain

Prepositions

  • in (the joint)
  • with (a type)

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The word entered English in the 16th century from Latin 'arthritis', borrowed in turn from Greek 'arthritis (nosos)' meaning 'disease of the joints'. The Greek root 'arthron' means 'joint', and the suffix '-itis' marks an inflammation — a pattern still used today in medical terms like 'tonsillitis' and 'bronchitis'.