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

• bear
• beast
• chore
• job
• killer
• labor

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

This is the latest headache for the BBC, following its abrupt sacking of The One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas, and dropping archive material featuring Huw Edwards, shamed former BBC news presenter, who helmed Coronation coverage and delivered the confirmation of the Queen’s death in 2022. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2024

Start with a lower dose and work up to 1,000 milligrams per day to prevent side effects, which are typically mild but can include headaches and stomach discomfort. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2024

This may be a headache to users who prefer to have all of their features loaded into their treadmill. —Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024

If thinking about removing your nandina gives you a headache, keeping this plant under control may be the better option. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2024

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

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