From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishheadachehead‧ache /ˈhedeɪk/ ●●● S2 W3 noun [countable] 1 MIa pain in your head If you have a headache, you should take some aspirin.2 informalPROBLEM a problem that is difficult or annoying to deal with Security is a big headache for airline operators. —headachy adjective a headachy feelingGRAMMAR: Countable or uncountable?Headache is a countable noun: I have a headache. ✗Don’t say: I have headache.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesbad/terrible/severeI’ve got a really bad headache.a splitting headache (=a very bad headache)The next day he woke up with a splitting headache.a throbbing/pounding/blinding headache (=a very bad headache)He had a throbbing headache, behind his nose and his eyes.a slight headache (also a bit of a headache spoken) (=one that is not very serious)I’d rather stay at home – I’ve got a bit of a headache.verbshave a headache (also have got a headache spoken)She’s not coming – she says she’s got a headache.get headaches/suffer from headaches (=regularly have a headache)He often gets headaches at school.give somebody a headache The music was starting to give him a headache.cause headachesThe drug can cause headaches.complain of a headache (=say that you have a headache)Your child may complain of headaches or problems seeing the blackboard. a headache goes away (=it stops) I'd like to lie down for a bit to make my headache go away, COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘a strong/heavy headache’. Say a bad headache.Don’t say ‘a little headache’. Say a slight headache or a bit of a headache.THESAURUSheadache a pain in your headLooking at a computer for a long time can give you a headache.hangover a headache and feeling of sickness that you get the day after you have drunk too much alcoholThe next day I had a terrible hangover.migraine /ˈmiːɡreɪn, ˈmaɪ- $ ˈmaɪ-/ a very bad headache, which makes you feel sick and have difficulty seeingHe has suffered from migraines all his life.
Examples from the Corpus
headache• Police departments say the new bill will be a headache to enforce.• As she made her way to the modest Grenfell town house, Emily felt the beginning of a headache coming on.• Dull frontal headache, occipital headache; pain in the jaws go to the head.• No wonder you got headaches, living with a crime like that for all these years.• But with its tiny yields and vulnerability to disease, viognier is a massive headache for growers.• Migraine headaches occur much more capriciously than do muscle-contraction headaches.• She complained of headaches and exhaustion and often said her whole body ached.• Bacterial meningitis must always be considered in a febrile person with severe headache.• In succeeding weeks, the headaches eased but not his parents counsel. 