health
HEHLTH
Health (noun) means the condition of being free from illness or injury; overall physical or mental well-being. Example: “Regular exercise is good for both your physical and mental health.”
noun
1
The condition of being free from illness or injury; overall physical or mental well-being.
"Regular exercise is good for both your physical and mental health."
"He's been in poor health since the surgery."
"Eating well and sleeping enough will help protect your health."
2
A toast wishing someone well, often before drinking.
"They raised their glasses and drank to his health."
"Let's all drink to the health of the bride and groom."
""Good health!" said Grandad, raising his cup to everyone at the table."
How to use health
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state of being well, physically or mentally.
Common pairings
good health
mental health
health insurance
drink to someone's health
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Word forms
- Plural
- healths
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Regular exercise is good for both your physical and mental _____.
Etymology
From Old English hǣlþ, built from the same root as whole and heal, plus the abstract-noun suffix -th.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for health
See all rhymes for health →Frequently asked questions
What does “health” mean?
The word “health” means the condition of being free from illness or injury; overall physical or mental well-being. In plain terms, the state of being well, physically or mentally.
How do you pronounce “health”?
“Health” is pronounced HEHLTH (/ˈhɛlθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “health” in a sentence?
Here is “health” used in a sentence: “Regular exercise is good for both your physical and mental health.”
What part of speech is “health”?
“Health” is a noun.
Where does the word “health” come from?
The word “health” comes from Old English. From Old English hǣlþ, built from the same root as whole and heal, plus the abstract-noun suffix -th.
Is “health” a common word?
“Health” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “health” have?
“Health” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the condition of being free from illness or injury; overall physical or mental well-being.
What is the difference between health and wellness?
Health is a state, the condition of being free from illness or injury. Wellness is more active: the ongoing effort and lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and rest, that people make to reach and keep good health. In short, health is the goal, and wellness is the pursuit of it.
What are the different types of health?
Health is usually broken into several dimensions. Physical health concerns the body, mental health concerns thoughts and moods, emotional health concerns handling feelings, and social health concerns relationships. Some models add spiritual and financial health. The dimensions interact, so weakness in one can affect the others.
Can health be measured?
Yes, though no single number captures it. Doctors use indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, and blood tests for physical health, plus questionnaires for mental health. Because health is multidimensional, these measures give a partial picture rather than one complete score.
Why is health important?
Health underpins almost everything a person does. Good health provides the energy to work, learn, and enjoy life, and it lowers the risk of disease and early death. Poor health limits daily activity and can strain finances and relationships, which is why health is widely treated as a foundation of well-being.
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