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

Concussion symptoms include confusion, drowsiness, nausea, and headache. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 30 Nov. 2024

Short-term symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, abdominal pain, colic, vomiting and anemia. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Symptoms include mood swings, feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite and sleep, physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches or fatigue and difficulty concentrating or decision making, which can lead to a decline in productivity and performance at work. —Alyssa Jaffer, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Being a sequel to a $7.3 billion franchise has its headaches. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 Nov. 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