noun
Uncommon
wellness
WEHL-nihs
Wellness (noun) means the state of being in good physical and mental health. Example: “The company introduced a wellness program to support staff mental health.”
noun
1
The state of being in good physical and mental health.
"The police conducted a wellness check."
"Diet and exercise are cornerstones of wellness."
"The company introduced a wellness program to support staff mental health."
"Wellness retreats often combine yoga, healthy food, and quiet time."
"Abdominal fat accumulation, known as visceral fat, has "long been recognized as metabolically harmful," according to Philip Rabito, M.D., a specialist in endocrinology, weight loss and wellness in New York City."
— Angelica Stable, More Americans may be classified as obese under new definition, study suggests (2026)
How to use wellness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOverall good health, often including mental and emotional well-being, not just the absence of illness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wellness program
mental wellness
promote wellness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like wellness.
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
- wellnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company introduced a _____ program to support staff mental health.
Etymology
Built from "well" plus the suffix "-ness," which turns an adjective into a noun describing a state or quality.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unwellness
illness
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wellness” mean?
The word “wellness” means the state of being in good physical and mental health. In plain terms, overall good health, often including mental and emotional well-being, not just the absence of illness.
How do you pronounce “wellness”?
“Wellness” is pronounced WEHL-nihs (/ˈwɛl.nɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “wellness” in a sentence?
Here is “wellness” used in a sentence: “The company introduced a wellness program to support staff mental health.”
What part of speech is “wellness”?
“Wellness” is a noun.
Is “wellness” a common word?
“Wellness” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between wellness and health?
Health often refers narrowly to the absence of illness, while wellness describes an ongoing state of good physical and mental well-being that people actively pursue. Wellness implies balance across several areas of life, not just freedom from disease.
What is the difference between wellness and wellbeing?
Wellness and wellbeing are largely synonymous and both describe a state of good physical and mental health. Wellness is more commonly used in commercial contexts (wellness centres, wellness products), while wellbeing appears more often in everyday and clinical conversation.
What are examples of wellness in everyday life?
Common examples include regular exercise, balanced eating, adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining supportive relationships. All of these contribute to the state of good physical and mental health that wellness describes.
