arthritic

adjective

ar·​thrit·​ic är-ˈthri-tik How to pronounce arthritic (audio)
Synonyms of arthriticnext
1
: of, relating to, or affected with arthritis
arthritic hands
2
: seemingly affected with or caused by arthritis
an arthritic legal system
a story moving with arthritic slowness
arthritic noun
arthritically
är-ˈthri-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce arthritic (audio)
adverb

Examples of arthritic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fans love its ergonomic handle that’s easy on the wrists and arthritic hands. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 Kirtley says the inflammation in her once arthritic knee is mostly gone. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2026 Kirtley says the inflammation in her once arthritic knee is mostly gone. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Koufax with an arthritic elbow pitching a complete game on two days’ rest in ’65 was an amazing feat. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for arthritic

Word History

Etymology

Middle English artetyke, arthretyke, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French artetyke, artetique, borrowed from Medieval Latin arteticus, arthreticus, going back to Latin arthrīticus, borrowed from Greek arthrītikós "of the joints, diseased in the joints," from arthrîtis "of the joints, (as a noun) gout" + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at arthritis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arthritic was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing arthritic

Rhymes for arthritic

See All Rhymes for arthritic

Browse Nearby Words

arthralgia
arthritic
arthritis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arthritic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arthritic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

arthritic

1 of 2 adjective
ar·​thrit·​ic är-ˈthrit-ik How to pronounce arthritic (audio)
: of, relating to, or affected with arthritis
arthritically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce arthritic (audio)
adverb

arthritic

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with arthritis

More from Merriam-Webster on arthritic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arthritic

Nglish: Translation of arthritic for Spanish Speakers

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