# headache

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhɛdeɪk/ · frequency rank #7,459

## Definitions
1. A pain or ache in the head.
2. A nuisance or unpleasant problem.

## Etymology
From Middle English hevedeche, from Old English hēafodeċe, equivalent to head + ache.

## Easily confused with
- **heartache** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/headache-vs-heartache)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ehadache`, `haedache`, `heaadche`, `headacche`, `headaceh`, `headachhe`, `headahce`, `headcahe`, `headdache`, `hedaache`, `hheadache`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/headache