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 of headache

• job
• killer
• burden
• effort

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

Early symptoms of contracting the amoeba can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

The advisory follows glutathione’s use in the Altadena and Spokane wildfires and recalls at two pharmacies, where usage was linked to fevers, chills, severe headaches and other symptoms. — Martha Bellisle, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

That is notable from a club who have faced their fair share of regulatory headaches in recent seasons. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for headache

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• handshake
• heartache

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