headache

1 of 2

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
Synonyms of headachenext
1
: pain in the head
2
: a vexatious or baffling situation or problem
… meetings had become a giant headache.—Franklin Foer
headachy adjective
or less commonly headachey
ˈhed-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)

headachy

2 of 2

adjective

head·​achy ˈhed-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headachy (audio)
variants or less commonly headachey
-er/-est
1
: having headache
2
: causing headache or attended by headache

Synonyms of headache

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of headache in a Sentence

Noun I'm starting to get a headache. The symptoms include fever and headache. The city's biggest headache is traffic. Managing your finances can be a real headache.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Why recruiting became political The Pentagon is emerging from the yearslong recruiting slump that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, easing one of the military's most persistent political headaches that drew bipartisan anxiety on Capitol Hill. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 Luwi was about four years old when his mother began complaining of headaches and joint pain. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 In the days that followed, students and staff reported headaches, sore throats, skin irritation and red eyes, according to state Agriculture Department interviews. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headache

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headache was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing headache

Rhymes for headache

See All Rhymes for headache

Browse Nearby Words

head
headache
headache plant
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Cite this Entry

“Headache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headache. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
1
: pain in the head
2
: an annoying or baffling situation or problem
headachy
-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)
adjective

Medical Definition

headache

noun
head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk How to pronounce headache (audio)
: pain in the head

called also cephalalgia

headachy
-ˌā-kē How to pronounce headache (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on headache

Nglish: Translation of headache for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about headache

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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