adjective
B1
Intermediate
unwell
uhn-WEHL
Unwell (adjective) means not feeling well; somewhat ill. Example: “He stayed home from work because he felt unwell.”
adjective
1
Not feeling well; somewhat ill.
"He stayed home from work because he felt unwell."
"She looked unwell and went to lie down."
How to use unwell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite, mild way of saying someone is sick.
When to use it
More formal or gentle-sounding than "sick" — common in professional or polite settings.
Common pairings
feel unwell
look unwell
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more unwell
- Superlative
- most unwell
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He stayed home from work because he felt _____.
Etymology
From un- (\"not\") plus well.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “unwell” mean?
The word “unwell” means not feeling well; somewhat ill. In plain terms, a polite, mild way of saying someone is sick.
How do you pronounce “unwell”?
“Unwell” is pronounced uhn-WEHL (/ʌnˈwɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unwell” in a sentence?
Here is “unwell” used in a sentence: “He stayed home from work because he felt unwell.”
What part of speech is “unwell”?
“Unwell” is an adjective.
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