migraines

IPA/ˈmiː.ɡreɪn/
KK[mˈaɪɡrˌenz]IPA/ˈmaɪ.ɡreɪn/

migraines — noun

  • migrainessingular
  • migrainesesplural

1. A very strong, throbbing headache that often makes the sufferer feel sick or sen

1.nounB1
Definition

A very strong, throbbing headache that often makes the sufferer feel sick or sensitive to light and noise. Migraines can last from several hours to a few days and are sometimes preceded by visual disturbances known as auras.

Example

Theo had to lie down in a dark room because his migraine was so intense.

collocation: lie down in a dark room for relief

Nora saw flashing lights in her vision just before her migraine started.

common symptom: visual aura before headache

Common collocations
  • have a migraine
  • suffer from migraines
  • migraine attack
  • migraine sufferer
  • chronic migraines
  • severe migraine
  • trigger a migraine

Grammar Patterns

have/get/suffer from + migraine(s)

migraine + attack/headache/symptoms

Usage Note

Often used in the plural (migraines) to describe repeated episodes of the condition. The singular 'migraine' is also common when referring to a single attack. The word can be used both countably (I get migraines) and uncountably (She suffers from migraine).

Common Mistakes

I have a bad headache from my migraine.
I have a migraine.
A migraine is a specific type of severe headache, not a cause of headache.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A migraine is a specific type of severe headache. While 'headache' refers to any pain in the head, a migraine is usually more intense, throbbing, and comes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. A 'tension headache' feels like a dull, pressing ache on both sides of the head and is not typically accompanied by nausea. A 'cluster headache' is extremely painful but affects only one side of the face or eye and tends to occur in groups over weeks or months. Migraines are unique in that they often involve visual disturbances (aura) and can last anywhere from a few hours to three days.

headache ↗tension headachecluster headache

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • suffer from migraines
  • have a migraine attack
  • trigger a migraine
  • migraine prevention
  • migraine treatment

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'migraine' comes from French through Middle English, ultimately from Greek 'hemikrania' (ἡμικρανία), which means 'half of the skull' — from 'hemi-' (half) and 'kranion' (skull). This refers to the one-sided head pain that is a common feature of the condition.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a