ailing

Ailing is an adjective used to describe someone in poor health or something that is in a state of decline. It derives from the verb ail, meaning to cause pain or trouble; in practice, a person, animal, or organization can be described as ailing when it is not functioning at full health. The term is common in medical and journalistic writing and does not specify a diagnosis by itself.

Etymology: Ailing comes from the verb ail, attested in Middle English. The exact origin of the verb is uncertain, but it has long carried the sense of trouble, discomfort, or sickness. The participle form ailing conveys an ongoing or current condition.

Health usage: In clinical contexts, people may say someone is ailing to indicate illness or weakness, as in "the patient is ailing." Ailing can refer to physical or mental health and often suggests a condition that is gradually worsening rather than an acute episode. The related noun ailment denotes a specific sickness or medical condition.

Figurative usage: The word is frequently used metaphorically to describe non-medical decline, such as an ailing economy, company, or project, indicating deteriorating performance, revenue, or viability.

See also: ailment, illness, unwell.