headache
/ˈhɛdeɪk/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: headaches
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A pain or ache in the head.
Noun
Examples
I have a splitting headache after that party last night.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A nuisance or unpleasant problem.
Noun
Examples
The clumsy filing system has been a huge headache.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “headache” mean?
A pain or ache in the head.
Is “headache” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.