arthritic

adjective

ar·​thrit·​ic är-ˈthri-tik 

1

: of, relating to, or affected with arthritis

arthritic hands

2

: seemingly affected with or caused by arthritis

an arthritic legal system

a story moving with arthritic slowness

arthritic noun

arthritically

är-ˈthri-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of arthritic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iron is long associated with immune support, soda is believed to aid digestion, arsenic is traditionally used to soothe arthritic pain, and lithia is prized for its calming qualities. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026

Fans love its ergonomic handle that’s easy on the wrists and arthritic hands. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026

The same guy who drives across town to save a few dollars might also insist on buying the grill that won’t rust out in five years or the lawn mower that always starts on the first pull (with an easy-grip, self-propel handle that’s more comfortable for arthritic hands). — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 June 2026

Weight loss can reduce the mechanical stress placed on an arthritic knee, which may help ease pain and slow cartilage deterioration over time. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English artetyke, arthretyke, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French artetyke, artetique, borrowed from Medieval Latin arteticus, arthreticus, going back to Latin arthrīticus, borrowed from Greek arthrītikós "of the joints, diseased in the joints," from arthrîtis "of the joints, (as a noun) gout" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at arthritis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arthritic

• anti-arthritic

Rhymes for arthritic

• chloritic
• dendritic
• enclitic
• ferritic
• granitic
• graphitic
• hamitic
• nephritic
• neritic
• pleuritic
• pruritic
• pyritic

Medical Definition

arthritic

1 of 2 adjective

ar·​thrit·​ic är-ˈthrit-ik 

: of, relating to, or affected with arthritis

arthritically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

arthritic

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with arthritis