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

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 notes

In 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

more unwell comparative, most unwell superlative

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Test yourself on “unwell” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

He stayed home from work because he felt _____.

From un- (\"not\") plus well.

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.

Vocabulary lists that include unwell: