deathly sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"deathly sick" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is very ill or severely afflicted with sickness. For example, "John was deathly sick with a high fever and was unable to get out of bed all day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I was deathly sick and lost the ability to walk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He saved my life," the guide says, oddly, before we learn that he had become deathly sick.

The New York Times

None were dead by this mid-week, though, and leaders on both sides seemed to feel that their peace process, though deathly sick, was not finished yet.

The Economist

"A small minority in New York City hates a helicopter, until they're deathly sick and need an E.M.S. helicopter," said Michael Roth, the owner of New York Helicopter, one of five helicopter tour and charter operators in the city.

The New York Times

The BP blowout off the coast of Louisiana spread oil for more than 1,000 miles and it continues to make that region's coastal dolphins deathly sick today.

Huffington Post

Back then advocacy included arguing with ambulance drivers to take deathly sick people with AIDS--mainly gay men--to the hospital.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Once you're shoved out the door a few times for being deathly ill (and infectious) at work, your boss will be thankful when you do call in sick and think you've finally taken everyone's advice to stay at home.

WikiHow

On Thursday, we challenged Well readers to figure out why a 59-year-old woman who'd been sick for over a week with what she thought was the flu suddenly became deathly ill.

The New York Times

His face is deathly pale from agitation.

The New York Times - Books

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

The New Yorker

They were smiling, but their faces were deathly pale.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deathly sick" to emphasize the severity of an illness, suggesting it is life-threatening or debilitating. It effectively conveys a state of extreme sickness.

Common error

Avoid using "deathly sick" to describe minor illnesses or discomforts, as it can sound hyperbolic and inappropriate. Reserve it for situations where the sickness is genuinely severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deathly sick" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or animal) to indicate a state of severe illness. Ludwig provides examples where it describes conditions like osteomyelitis or the effects of pollution on dolphins.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deathly sick" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe a state of extreme or life-threatening illness. Ludwig indicates that it is primarily found in News & Media contexts. While understandable, it may sound hyperbolic in casual contexts and should be reserved for situations where the sickness is genuinely severe. More common alternatives include "gravely ill" or "critically ill". As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English to describe someone who is very ill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gravely ill

Emphasizes the seriousness of the illness.

critically ill

Highlights that the illness has reached a critical stage.

in critical condition

Focuses on the patient's state as being critical.

seriously ill

A more general term for a severe illness.

dangerously sick

Stresses the element of danger associated with the sickness.

terminally ill

Indicates that the illness will lead to death.

stricken with a severe illness

Highlights the impact and severity of the illness.

mortally wounded

While usually refers to wounds, it implies a condition leading to death.

on death's door

An idiomatic expression suggesting imminent death.

at death's door

Similar to "on death's door", implying being very close to dying.

FAQs

What does "deathly sick" mean?

The phrase "deathly sick" means extremely or severely ill, often implying a life-threatening condition. It suggests a state of intense sickness.

Is "deathly sick" a common expression?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "deathly sick" is not as frequently used as alternatives like "gravely ill" or "critically ill".

Can I use "deathly sick" to describe a minor illness?

It's best to avoid using "deathly sick" for minor ailments. This expression is better suited for describing severe or life-threatening illnesses to accurately convey the intensity of the sickness.

What are some alternative phrases to "deathly sick"?

Instead of "deathly sick", you could use phrases like "gravely ill", "seriously ill", or "critically ill" to describe a severe illness.