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

The condition is similar to—and possibly a subtype of—rapid destructive arthritis, which was identified a year later in 1982. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Boissoneault has psoriatic arthritis, celiac disease, endometriosis, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s disease. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 30 July 2026

After a long stretch of appointments, physical therapy, braces and uncertainty, Cassady was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in April 2025. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 29 July 2026

Singer Carly Simon has revealed that her Parkinson's disease was initially mistaken for arthritis, highlighting how the two conditions can share similar symptoms, particularly in the early stages. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

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

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)