To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of arthritis
: inflammation of joints due to infectious, metabolic, or constitutional causes also : a specific arthritic condition
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share arthritis
Time Traveler for arthritis
The first known use of arthritis was in 1543
See more words from the same year