illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

1

a

: sickness sense 2

b

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind

2

obsolete

a

: wickedness

b

: unpleasantness

Synonyms

• affection
• ail
• ailment
• bug
• complaint
• complication
• condition
• disease
• disorder
• distemper
• distemperature
• fever
• ill
• infirmity
• malady
• sickness
• trouble

Examples of illness in a Sentence

Her body was not able to defend itself against illness.

Hundreds of soldiers died from illness and hunger.

He showed no signs of illness.

Scientists have not yet found a cure for this illness.

cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses

She died at the age of 60 after a brief illness.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 13-category scale is based on the percentage of doctor's visits that were for influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in the previous week. —Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024

Smith’s mother grew up in gloomy circumstances, depressed by death and illness. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024

Allergy Risk No illnesses have been reported in connection with the product at this time. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

At the Forbes Healthcare Summit, Walgreens chief pharmacy officer Rick Gates, said pharmacists have already been testing for an array of illnesses including Covid-19 and then prescribing medications. —Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing illness

• bipolar illness
• illness anxiety disorder
• manic-depressive illness
• mental illness

Kids Definition

illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

1

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind

2

: sickness sense 2

Medical Definition

illness

noun

ill·​ness ˈil-nəs 

: an unhealthy condition of body or mind : sickness