headache

1 of 2

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 

headachy

2 of 2

adjective

head·​achy ˈhed-ˌā-kē 

variants or less commonly headachey

-er/-est

1

: having headache

2

: causing headache or attended by headache

Synonyms of headache

Noun

• job
• killer
• burden
• effort

Examples of headache in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

For many, this new-build option upholds preferential aesthetics while satisfying practical needs and eliminating restoration headaches. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 July 2026

Believe it or not, a little skepticism could save you a big headache later. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

This youthful Seattle group is well-equipped to give Cheryl Reeve some headaches. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 20 July 2026

How wildfire smoke affects the body Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness, headaches, and a burning sensation in the nose and eyes. — Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1795, 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