feeling sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling sick" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you feel unwell, either literally or figuratively. For example: "I'm feeling sick today, so I'm going to stay home and rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do not feel guilty for feeling sick, you are sick.

WikiHow

You may also want to buy motion-sickness pills to help stop you feeling sick.

WikiHow

"I am feeling sick.

The New York Times - Magazine

You're not feeling sick?

The New Yorker

Somebody complained of feeling sick.

The New Yorker

Tells about having children and feeling sick.

The New Yorker

Cross did drugs to avoid feeling sick.

The Washington Post

I am feeling sick and shaky.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am feeling sick this happened".

The New York Times

He was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

The New York Times

Then he complained of feeling sick, and collapsed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling sick" to express a wide range of physical discomfort, from mild nausea to severe illness.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling sick" when you mean "being sick" (vomiting). "Feeling sick" refers to the sensation of illness, while "being sick" is the act of vomiting. For example, say "I feel sick" to mean you're nauseous, and "I was sick" to mean you vomited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling sick" primarily functions as a subjective description of one's physical state. It indicates a sensation of illness, which can range from mild discomfort to severe nausea. Ludwig AI confirms this is a commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling sick" is a common and correct way to describe a sensation of illness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to news reports, and can indicate anything from mild discomfort to severe nausea. While generally neutral in register, it's important to distinguish it from "being sick", which refers to vomiting. Common alternatives include "unwell", "nauseous", and "under the weather", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to specify the duration or intensity of the feeling for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not feeling well

A straightforward and literal way of expressing the sentiment.

unwell

A more general term for not being in good health.

poorly

A simple and direct way of saying someone is not well.

experiencing nausea

Focuses specifically on the sensation of nausea, a common symptom of sickness.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill.

out of sorts

Indicates a general feeling of being unwell or not oneself.

queasy

Describes a feeling of nausea or unease in the stomach.

ailing

A more formal and slightly old-fashioned way of saying someone is sick.

indisposed

Suggests a temporary illness that prevents someone from fulfilling their usual duties.

laid up

Suggests being confined to bed due to illness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "feeling sick"?

You can use alternatives like "unwell", "nauseous", or "under the weather" depending on the context.

How to use "feeling sick" in a sentence?

You can say "I'm feeling sick today", "She's been feeling sick all week", or "The thought of it made him feel sick".

Which is correct, "feeling sick" or "feeling sickly"?

"Feeling sick" is the correct and more common phrase to describe the sensation of illness. "Feeling sickly" is less common but can be used to describe a constant state of poor health.

What's the difference between "feeling sick" and "being sick"?

"Feeling sick" refers to the sensation of nausea or illness, while "being sick" often refers to the act of vomiting. For example, "I'm feeling sick" means you feel nauseous, while "I was sick last night" means you vomited.