What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disease
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with a rare disease. [disease: noun]
Example
She was vaccinated against the disease before traveling to the endemic area. [disease: noun]
malady
Example
He suffered from a mysterious malady that left him weak and tired. [malady: noun]
Example
The patient complained of various maladies, including headaches and nausea. [maladies: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disease is a more common term than malady in medical and scientific contexts. Malady is less common and is more often used in informal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between disease and malady?
Disease is a more formal term than malady. It is commonly used in medical and scientific contexts, while malady is more informal and literary.
