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

May Improve Inflammation and Pain in Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 May 2025

Wen: According to the study’s researchers, the list of chronic conditions that should prompt caution before trying cinnamon supplementation includes hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV/AIDS and depression. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

While psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are hereditary, strep is also a trigger for the onset of guttate psoriasis.3 For me, that ultimately progressed to psoriatic arthritis. —Anisa Arsenault, Health, 30 Apr. 2025

The causes of pain in this population are numerous — from arthritis and neuropathy to spinal and other musculoskeletal issues, often exacerbated by age and immobility. —Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025

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
• glossitis
• mastitis
• metritis
• nephritis
• neuritis
• orchitis
• osteitis
• otitis

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)