arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrī-təs 

plural arthritides är-ˈthri-tə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition

Examples of arthritis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raw dairy, his farm has claimed, could cure, treat or prevent myriad diseases and ailments, from diabetes and ear infections to allergies, eczema and arthritis. —CNN Money, 14 June 2026

Last year Maxine was put on crate rest for severe arthritis and could only take very short walks. —Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The study analyzed health records from more than 26,000 adults with obesity and at least one autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, and celiac disease. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 June 2026

Glucosamine is a sugar molecule that’s sold over the counter as a remedy for joint pain and arthritis. —Ramon Sun, The Conversation, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin arthrītis "pain in the joints," borrowed from Greek arthrītid-, arthrîtis "of the joints" (arthrîtis nósos "disease of the joints"), (as a noun) "gout," from árthron "joint, articulation" + -ītis -itis — more at arthro-

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing arthritis

• anti-arthritis
• reactive arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Rhymes for arthritis

• bronchitis
• bursitis
• detritus
• gastritis
• mastitis
• metritis
• nephritis
• neuritis
• orchitis
• osteitis
• otitis
• phlebitis

Kids Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

: inflammation of the joints

arthritic

-ˈthrit-ik

adjective or noun

Medical Definition

arthritis

noun

ar·​thri·​tis är-ˈthrīt-əs 

plural arthritides -ˈthrit-ə-ˌdēz 

: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes

also : a specific arthritic condition (as gouty arthritis or psoriatic arthritis)