queasy

UK: ˈkwiːzi | US: ˈkwiːzi

Definition

  1. adj. feeling nauseated or uneasy

  2. adj. causing discomfort or unease

  3. adj. overly sensitive or squeamish

Structure
queas <nausea>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "queasy" originated in Middle English as "queysy," likely derived from the Old Norse "kveisa," meaning "boil" or "abscess," which metaphorically extended to describe a churning, unsettled feeling. The modern sense of nausea or unease emerged by the 15th century, influenced by the physical discomfort associated with illness. The suffix "-y" standardizes it as an adjective, reinforcing its descriptive role.

Examples

  1. The bumpy car ride left her feeling queasy.

  2. He avoided horror movies because they made him queasy.

  3. The smell of rotten eggs gave her a queasy stomach.

  4. She felt queasy at the thought of public speaking.

  5. The politician’s vague answers left voters queasy about his honesty.