Need another word for Ill? Use these synonyms of Ill from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
sick
unwell
poorly
diseased
ailing
afflicted
indisposed
infirm
feeble
frail
weak
unhealthy
queasy
nauseous
vomiting
feverish
delirious
disordered
abnormal
unhealthy
morbid
pathological
infected
contagious
toxic
noxious
harmful
injurious
detrimental
unwholesome
insalubrious
septic
diseased
sickly
frail
valetudinarian
debilitated
enfeebled
asthenic
anemic
consumptive
moribund
Meaning of Ill
The primary meaning of the word "ill" is to be in a state of poor health or sickness.
Definitions
- Feeling or producing nausea, as in: the smell made me feel ill
- Suffering from a disease or disorder, as in: she was ill with flu
- Unfavorable or unpleasant, as in: the ill effects of smoking
Etymology of Ill
The word "ill" has its roots in Old English and Germanic languages, with the Old English word "il" and Old Norse "illr" both meaning "bad" or "evil"
Historically, the word "ill" was used to describe not just physical sickness but also moral or spiritual corruption
Over time, the meaning of "ill" has narrowed to primarily describe physical health, although it can still be used in broader contexts to describe unfavorable or unpleasant situations
Example Uses
- She was too ill to go to work yesterday
- The patient was very ill and required immediate medical attention
- The ill effects of pollution on the environment are well-documented