unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē 

unhealthier; unhealthiest

1

: not conducive to health : not healthful

an unhealthy climate

unhealthy habits

unhealthy foods

2

: not in good health : sickly, diseased

unhealthy animals

3

a

: risky, unsound

an unhealthy economy

b

: of a harmful nature : bad, injurious

unhealthy levels of lead

c

: morally contaminated : corrupt, unwholesome

an unhealthy imagination

unhealthily

ˌən-ˈhel-thə-lē 

adverb

unhealthiness

ˌən-ˈhel-thē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• insalubrious
• noisome
• noxious
• sickly
• unhealthful
• unwholesome

Examples of unhealthy in a Sentence

Her skin looks blotchy and unhealthy.

Tests revealed an unhealthy level of lead in the water.

Eating honey can be unhealthy for babies.

He was stuck in an unhealthy relationship.

She has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters.

Recent Examples on the Web

In this way, the Garrett situation could already be construed as an unhealthy one for the Browns in the court of veteran quarterback opinion. —Zac Jackson, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

Another aspect of emotional eating is the process of specific cravings, usually including unhealthy, energy-dense foods. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2025

Understandably, then, there’s a fine line between respecting your preferences and veering into unhealthy superficiality. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Feb. 2025

Left unchecked, parental burnout can strain parent-child relationships, lead to behavioral and emotional problems in kids and create unhealthy coping mechanisms in families. —Malaka Gharib, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē 

1

: not conducive to good health : not healthful

an unhealthy climate

2

: not in good health : sickly, diseased

3

a

: risky, unsound

an unhealthy economy

b

: injurious, bad

unhealthily

-thə-lē 

adverb

unhealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy -ˈhel-thē 

unhealthier; unhealthiest

1

: not conducive to health

an unhealthy climate

2

: not in good health : sickly

unhealthiness noun