ill

UK: ɪl | US: ɪl

Definition

  1. adj. in poor health; sick

  2. adj. harmful or unfavorable (e.g., ill effects)

  3. n. a problem or misfortune (e.g., social ills)

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

The word ill traces back to Old Norse illr, meaning "bad" or "evil." It entered Middle English with a similar sense, later specializing to describe poor health or misfortune. Unlike many English words with Latin or Greek roots, ill retains its compact Germanic structure, reflecting its ancient origin as a core concept of negativity.

Examples

  1. She felt too ill to attend the meeting.

  2. The decision had many ill consequences.

  3. Poverty remains one of society’s greatest ills.

  4. He spoke no ill of his former colleagues.

  5. The medicine caused no ill effects.