ill appearing

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill appearing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who looks ill, or who is not especially attractive or inviting in appearance. Example: The old man had an ill appearing visage, and an unkempt beard.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A total of 833 infants did not meet criteria for FWLS, 386 with significant PMH, 355 who were afebrile, 37 who were ill appearing, 29 with a focal exam, and 26 that had incomplete medical records.

Plosone

Specific exclusion criteria for the study included: (1) severe memory loss or impaired orientation, and; (2) acutely ill appearing.

BMC Health Services Research

CSF = cerebral spinal fluid, mg/dl = milligram/deciliter, WBCs = white blood cells On evaluation at our institution the patient was ill appearing and nauseated with a severe frontal headache that radiated to the occiput.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Patients' severity of illness while critically ill appears to increase the level of long-term sleep dysfunction experienced.

Critical Care

How many of us qualify as mentally ill appears to have more to do with how you count than with how many diagnoses are available.

The New Yorker

The researchers warn that the emotional strain of negative experiences, such as getting divorced or being ill, appear to be exacerbated by being poor.

The Guardian

Baker Salsbury, the town's director of health and social services, said those who became ill appeared to have an intestinal virus, "based on the severity and the extent to which it has been communicated".

The New York Times

Further evaluation of echocardiographic variables, particularly left ventricular end-systolic volume, for risk stratification in the critically ill appears warranted.

Critical Care

Further evaluation of echocardiographic variables, particularly increased LVESV, for risk stratification in the critically ill appears warranted.

Critical Care

In fact, the major gastrointestinal motility disorders in the critically ill appear to occur in the antral-pyloro region of the stomach.

Critical Care

This blunted EPO response observed in the critically ill appears to result from inhibition of the EPO gene by inflammatory mediators [ 20, 21].

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill appearing" to describe someone whose appearance suggests they are sick or unwell. It's more formal than simply saying they 'look sick'.

Common error

Avoid using "ill appearing" when you mean 'evil-appearing' or 'bad-looking' in a moral sense. "Ill" refers specifically to health or well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill appearing" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (usually a person or animal) to indicate their apparent state of health. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill appearing" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat uncommon, adjective phrase used to describe someone or something that looks unwell. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in science-related articles and news reports, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. While less frequent than simpler alternatives, "ill appearing" offers a specific and professional way to describe a person's apparent health condition. It's important not to confuse it with terms describing moral qualities or attractiveness. Alternative phrases include "unwell appearing" and "sickly looking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwell appearing

Synonymous, uses "unwell" instead of "ill".

unhealthy appearance

Focuses on the aspect of lacking health.

not looking healthy

More descriptive and less direct.

sickly looking

Emphasizes a look suggestive of sickness.

looking peaky

Informal, mostly British English, suggesting slight illness.

having a wan look

Emphasizes a pale and tired appearance.

in poor condition

Highlights the deteriorated state.

not in good shape

General term for poor condition, less specific to health.

of unsound appearance

More formal, focusing on the instability of appearance.

poorly presented

Shifts focus to the negative presentation of someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "ill appearing" in a sentence?

You can use "ill appearing" to describe someone who looks sick or unhealthy. For example, "The patient was "ill appearing" and had a shortened speech pattern."

What does "ill appearing" mean?

"Ill appearing" describes someone who looks unwell or gives the impression of being sick. It's a more formal way of saying someone looks sick.

What are some alternatives to "ill appearing"?

Alternatives include "sickly looking", "unhealthy appearance", or "unwell appearing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "ill appearing" a common phrase?

"Ill appearing" is not as common as simpler alternatives like 'looking sick'. It's more often used in formal or medical contexts.