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

Droves of Amazon shoppers wear these Anta PG7 Sneakers during work shifts, arthritis flare-ups, and other occasions. —Lindsey Greenfeld, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to facial paralysis, irregular heartbeat and arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

Dennis Meade, 86, is more mobile, despite arthritis pain in one knee, but contends with his own hearing problems. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025

Lymphoma seemed unlikely because there is no mention of Austen having enlarged lymph glands, and patients with lymphoma don’t have arthritis or skin lesions, the researchers noted in their paper. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 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)