deathly ill

USAGE SUMMARY

"deathly ill" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means extremely or almost fatally ill. Here is an example: "After contracting the rare virus, the patient was deathly ill for weeks before finally recovering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She came to Delbanco, certain that she was deathly ill.

The New Yorker

He recalls telling his deathly ill wife that their deathly ill daughter was fine and would attend a matinee the following day.

The New York Times - Arts

Among them was Neelam, who said her two grandchildren were deathly ill inside.

The New York Times

All it's accomplished is that deathly ill people are unable to get medicine they need".

The New York Times

By the time [the patient] came back in he was deathly ill.

The Washington Post

A year ago, I was deathly ill with something way beyond the standard winter bug.

The New York Times

Over the next few days more than 600 deathly ill people arrived.

The Guardian

Fleeing to the kitchen, she told co-workers that she felt "deathly ill".

The New York Times

It seems counterintuitive: allowing family members of deathly ill patients to watch while doctors try to restart the patients' hearts.

The New York Times - Health

More significantly, his father was deathly ill in Los Angeles and he wanted to be closer to home.

The New York Times - Sports

Nick marvels at the swift recovery of men deathly ill with scurvy when they were given fresh greens or rob.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deathly ill" to emphasize the extreme severity of a sickness or condition. It conveys a sense of immediate danger and potential fatality.

Common error

Avoid using "deathly ill" when describing minor ailments or temporary discomfort. Its strong connotation is best reserved for truly critical situations to maintain impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deathly ill" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically a person or animal. It indicates a state of extreme illness, close to death. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deathly ill" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a severely critical health condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in written English. It functions as an adjectival phrase to emphasize the seriousness of the illness, suggesting that the person or animal is close to death. While "deathly ill" can appear in various contexts, it is more commonly found in news media, encyclopedias, and academic writings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the situation warrants such a strong description, avoiding overuse in less serious contexts. Alternatives like "gravely ill" or "critically ill" can be used depending on the specific nuance needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Gravely ill

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential life-threatening nature of the illness.

Critically ill

Focuses on the critical state of the patient, often requiring immediate and intensive care.

In critical condition

Describes the patient's state as unstable and requiring constant monitoring.

Life-threateningly ill

Explicitly states that the illness poses a direct threat to the patient's life.

Terminally ill

Indicates that the illness is incurable and will eventually lead to death.

Seriously sick

A more general term for being severely unwell, lacking the immediate threat implied by "deathly ill".

Near death

Highlights the proximity to death, rather than the severity of the illness itself.

On death's door

An idiomatic expression suggesting that someone is very close to dying.

At death's door

Similar to "on death's door", this phrase indicates a dire and potentially fatal condition.

Mortally wounded

While typically used for injuries, it can also describe illnesses that are expected to be fatal.

FAQs

How to use "deathly ill" in a sentence?

You can use "deathly ill" to describe someone experiencing a severe and potentially life-threatening illness. For instance, "After contracting the virus, she became "deathly ill" and required immediate hospitalization."

What can I say instead of "deathly ill"?

Alternatives to "deathly ill" include "gravely ill", "critically ill", or "near death", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "deathly ill" in formal writing?

Yes, "deathly ill" is appropriate in formal writing when accurately describing a severe medical condition. Ensure the context warrants the gravity of the phrase.

What's the difference between "seriously ill" and "deathly ill"?

"Seriously ill" indicates a significant health concern, while ""deathly ill"" suggests a condition that is imminently life-threatening. The latter conveys a higher level of severity and urgency.