a slightly sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is feeling a bit unwell or has mild symptoms of illness. Example: "After eating that questionable food, I felt a slightly sick sensation in my stomach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I've got a slightly sick feeling in my stomach," he murmurs creepily.

The Guardian - Music

With a slightly sick feeling of anticipation and disbelief, I asked him if he liked "The Office".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This subgroup represents a slightly sicker participant group many of whom already had unfilled prescriptions for antihypertensive medication and therefore may have been more aware of their elevated risk for death or disability.

BMC Health Services Research

In peacetime the doctor sees the sick and has functions similar to those of the general practitioner, prescribing drugs and dressings, and there may be a sick bay where slightly sick soldiers can remain for a few days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the mood of the contest would not leave me, a mood of cerebral excitement, feverish and slightly sick, like a real inflammation of the brain.

The New Yorker

I have a theory that audiences have got slightly sick of sitting in the dark for two-and-a-half hours being ignored by the actors.

The Guardian

A working mother told The Sunday Telegraph, "I feel slightly sick at our decadence".

The New York Times

Hawwa, site member Far From You by Tess Sharpe was an eye-opening novel that really changed my perspective on LGBT and was a refreshing stance to read from concerning love because who's slightly sick of stereotypical boy-girl romances?

The Guardian

For better results act slightly sick the day before but just say you have a little cold.

WikiHow

I felt slightly sick as I handed over £600 or so to Apple for a beautiful new phone that I knew would be superseded within weeks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then I felt slightly sick".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly sick" when you want to downplay the severity of an illness. It's appropriate for describing a temporary or minor ailment.

Common error

In formal or professional writing, consider more precise terms like "mildly ill" or "experiencing minor symptoms" instead of "a slightly sick" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly sick" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., feeling, condition, person). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage to describe a mild state of illness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly sick" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a mild state of illness. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that someone is not feeling well but isn't severely ill. While examples are relatively uncommon, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science and encyclopedias. When more formality is required, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "mildly ill" or "experiencing minor symptoms".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mild sickness

Directly describes the sickness as being not severe.

a bit under the weather

Focuses on the feeling of being unwell, suggesting a temporary and mild condition.

a little unwell

Emphasizes the mild degree of sickness in a more formal tone.

slightly indisposed

Directly indicates a mild state of being unwell.

feeling a bit queasy

Specifically refers to nausea or stomach discomfort.

not feeling quite right

A more general expression for feeling off or unwell without specifying symptoms.

a touch of illness

Highlights the minor impact of the illness.

a touch nauseated

Specifically addresses the feeling of nausea.

a mild nausea

Directly indicates a feeling of slight sickness and discomfort.

somewhat indisposed

A formal way of saying someone is slightly unwell or unable to perform usual activities.

FAQs

What does "a slightly sick" mean?

The phrase "a slightly sick" refers to a mild or not very serious state of illness. It implies that someone is not feeling well, but the condition is not severe or debilitating.

What can I say instead of "a slightly sick"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit under the weather", "a little unwell", or "not feeling quite right" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a little sick" or "a slightly sick"?

Both "a little sick" and "a slightly sick" are acceptable, but "slightly" often implies a more subtle or marginal degree of sickness compared to "a little". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to use "a slightly sick" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly sick" to describe someone's condition, such as "I felt "a little sick" after the rollercoaster ride" or "The doctor said I was only "a little sick" and didn't need any strong medication".