unhealthy
UK: ʌnˈhɛlθi | US: ʌnˈhɛlθi
Definition
adj. not in good physical or mental condition; harmful to health
adj. indicative of poor health (e.g., an unhealthy complexion)
adj. morally or socially harmful (e.g., unhealthy habits)
Structure
un <not>health <wholeness, well-being>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology
The word "unhealthy" combines the Old English prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with "health," derived from the Old English "hǣlþ" (wholeness, soundness), and the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives. "Health" itself traces back to Proto-Germanic "*hailithō," linked to "whole" and "holy," reflecting the ancient connection between physical well-being and spiritual integrity. The negative prefix "un-" flips the meaning to denote absence or harm, while "-y" generalizes the term into a descriptive adjective.
Examples
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