headache

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk 

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 

Synonyms

• bear
• beast
• chore
• job
• killer
• labor

Examples of headache in a Sentence

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

Symptoms linked to the mystery disease include fever, headaches, coughing and anemia, raising concerns about the Congo's limited medical infrastructure. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

That was until a throbbing headache set in, said Covert, 18. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

There can be side effects from supplementation, such as bad-smelling breath and sweat and headaches, as well as digestive issues such as heartburn, nausea or diarrhea, Harvard’s site stated. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Teen in Critical Condition After Contracting Canada's First ‘Presumptive’ Human Case of Bird Flu Symptoms of bird flu mimic those associated with influenza, according to the CDC: fever, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, stuffy or runny nose, eye redness, and headaches. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing headache

• cluster headache
• ice-cream headache
• pre-headache
• sick headache
• splitting headache
• tension headache

Video

An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling

Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut

Kids Definition

headache

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk 

1

: pain in the head

2

: an annoying or baffling situation or problem

headachy

-ˌā-kē 

adjective

Medical Definition

headache

noun

head·​ache ˈhed-ˌāk 

: pain in the head

called also cephalalgia

headachy

-ˌā-kē 

adjective