sickness
SIHK-nihs
Sickness (noun) means the state of being ill; a specific illness. Example: “He was off work due to sickness for two weeks.”
noun
1
The state of being ill; a specific illness.
"He was off work due to sickness for two weeks."
"The disease causes sickness in both humans and livestock."
"Her long sickness meant she missed most of the school term last year."
2
A feeling of nausea.
"Morning sickness is common in the first trimester of pregnancy."
How to use sickness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIllness in general, or a feeling of nausea.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sickness and health
morning sickness
sickness benefit
motion sickness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sickness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sicknesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was off work due to _____ for two weeks.
Etymology
From Old English seocnes, built from "sick" plus "-ness".
Related words
Rhymes for sickness
See all rhymes for sickness →Frequently asked questions
What does “sickness” mean?
The word “sickness” means the state of being ill; a specific illness. In plain terms, illness in general, or a feeling of nausea.
How do you pronounce “sickness”?
“Sickness” is pronounced SIHK-nihs (/ˈsɪknɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “sickness” in a sentence?
Here is “sickness” used in a sentence: “He was off work due to sickness for two weeks.”
What part of speech is “sickness”?
“Sickness” is a noun.
Where does the word “sickness” come from?
The word “sickness” comes from Old English. From Old English seocnes, built from "sick" plus "-ness".
Is “sickness” a common word?
“Sickness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sickness” have?
“Sickness” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being ill; a specific illness.
What is the difference between sickness and illness?
"Sickness" and "illness" are largely synonymous, both referring to the state of being unwell or a specific disease. "Sickness" is sometimes used more casually, while "illness" can sound slightly more formal or clinical.
What is the difference between sickness and nausea?
"Sickness" can specifically mean a feeling of nausea, as in "morning sickness" or "travel sickness," separate from its broader meaning of being generally unwell or having a specific illness. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant.
What does "sickness" mean in phrases like "morning sickness"?
In phrases such as "morning sickness" or "sea sickness," "sickness" refers specifically to a feeling of nausea rather than a broader illness. These compound terms describe nausea triggered by a specific cause, such as pregnancy or motion.
