ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill" is correct and usable in written English, but it is typically used in informal contexts.
You can use it to describe a state of being unwell or to express disapproval or negativity towards something. Example: "I felt ill after eating that questionable food at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

We don't have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don't have insurance".

The New York Times

An eight-month inquiry by the all party group on mindfulness found frontline public servants could be less likely to fall ill with stress, or quit altogether, if they engage in the increasingly popular meditation practice which involves increasing awareness of the present moment to help control anxiety and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

School work certainly suffered after my father became ill.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Asked how he celebrated the triumph over Chelsea, Lawn tells the Guardian: "My wife's terminally ill.

The Guardian - Sport

A mentally ill teenager ends up in a prison cell, for want of a hospital bed.

The Guardian

He has been in ill health in recent years, which he said made it necessary to cut his workload.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Hungary did not rack up the biggest win in World Cup history because El Salvador were the worst team ever to reach the finals; rather, they were the happy beneficiaries of a monumentally ill-conceived tactical plan.

The Guardian - Sport

The Central Americans displayed a sounder structure, with the wing-backs helping the three centre-backs and the midfield providing protection too, and Mora suggested that he bore no ill-effects from his torment in Elche by producing a phenomenal one-handed save to deny Erin Vandenbergh early on.

The Guardian - Sport

Others basked in a wave of optimism, this being the best scheme to come out of a tawdry saga of ill-conceived visions that has dragged on for the past quarter of a century.

The Guardian - Arts

In the early 2000s, pharmaceutical companies were high on activists' hit lists, prompted by Big Pharma's ill-advised attempt to sue the South African government for patent infringement on HIV drugs; an attempt to deal with the country's epidemic by allowing cheaper, generic copies to be sold.

The Guardian

His Edymandias EdStone moment may have been one of the most ill-conceived political stunts of all time: fortunately the monarchy came to the rescue with the timely arrival of the royal baby to fill the news pages instead.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's health, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Sick" is more direct, while "unwell" can be more general. Use "ill" for a slightly more formal or literary tone.

Common error

Avoid using "ill" when you mean "evil" or morally wrong. "Ill" primarily refers to health, while "evil" describes wickedness.

Linguistic Context

The word "ill" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of being unwell or unhealthy. It can also function as an adverb, meaning "badly" or "poorly". As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Lifestyle

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ill" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a state of being unwell, though it can also serve as an adverb. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a neutral formality, it's widely used across news, lifestyle, and sports contexts. While "sick" and "unwell" are common synonyms, "ill" often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone. When using "ill", be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning and context to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sick

A more common and direct synonym for being unhealthy or experiencing nausea.

unwell

A general term indicating a state of not being in good health.

poorly

Describes a state of being in bad health or performing inadequately.

ailing

Suggests a prolonged period of sickness or declining health.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly unwell.

in poor health

A more formal way of describing someone who is not healthy.

afflicted

Implies suffering from a disease or ailment.

diseased

Indicates a state of being affected by a disease.

not in good shape

A general phrase for not being in optimal condition, either physically or mentally.

out of sorts

Describes a state of feeling slightly unwell or unhappy.

FAQs

How can I use "ill" in a sentence?

You can use "ill" to describe someone who is sick, as in "I was "feeling ill" yesterday", or to describe something negative, as in "He bore no "ill will" towards them".

What can I say instead of "ill" when referring to health?

Alternatives include "sick", "unwell", or "poorly", depending on the context and desired formality.

Which is correct, "ill" or "sick"?

Both "ill" and "sick" are correct, but "sick" is more commonly used in everyday conversation. "Ill" can sound slightly more formal or literary.

What's the difference between "ill health" and "poor health"?

"Ill health" and "poor health" are often used interchangeably to describe a state of not being healthy. "Poor health" might be considered slightly more common in modern usage.