mal
Mal (noun) means Illness or affliction (used in medical and legal phrases borrowed from French, such as "mal de mer"). Example: “The sailors suffered from mal de mer on the crossing.”
How to Use Mal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA borrowed French word for sickness, mostly seen inside fixed phrases rather than used alone.
Word Forms
mals plural, mals plural, mals plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The sailors suffered from _____ de mer on the crossing.
Etymology
Borrowed from French mal, "illness," ultimately from Latin malus, "bad."
Synonyms
View more →Related Words
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “mal” mean?
The word “mal” means illness or affliction (used in medical and legal phrases borrowed from French, such as "mal de mer"). In plain terms, a borrowed French word for sickness, mostly seen inside fixed phrases rather than used alone.
How do you pronounce “mal”?
“Mal” is pronounced mal (/mæl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mal” in a sentence?
Here is “mal” used in a sentence: “The sailors suffered from mal de mer on the crossing.”
What part of speech is “mal”?
“Mal” is a noun.
Where does the word “mal” come from?
The word “mal” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French mal, "illness," ultimately from Latin malus, "bad.".
Is “mal” a common word?
“Mal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What does mal mean in phrases like mal de mer?
In borrowed French phrases such as 'mal de mer,' mal means illness or affliction, so 'mal de mer' literally translates to 'sickness of the sea,' or seasickness. It appears in English mainly within such fixed medical and legal expressions rather than as a standalone word.
Is mal used as an everyday English word?
No, mal is not typically used on its own in everyday English; it survives mainly inside specific French-derived phrases used in medical and legal contexts. Outside these set expressions, English speakers use words like 'illness' or 'affliction' instead.
What other phrases use mal in a similar way?
Beyond 'mal de mer,' the element 'mal' appears in various English words borrowed from French or Latin roots meaning 'bad' or 'illness,' though as a standalone term it is mostly limited to specific set phrases. Its meaning of illness or affliction stays consistent across these uses.