less healthy

USAGE SUMMARY

"less healthy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when comparing two or more options, or to compare an option with an ideal standard. Example sentence: Eating processed foods can be less healthy than eating fresh vegetables.

✓ Grammatically correct

Health

Food

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A. Yes, in some aspects, less healthy.

The New York Times

Less healthy leaves reflect less infrared light.

Cornell University

"I've seldom seen a less healthy looking person.

The Guardian - Arts

Married women are arguably less healthy than single women.

The New Yorker

If anything, he feels the place is less healthy today.

The Guardian

We are becoming a much fatter, less healthy country.

The Guardian - Opinion

That seems a whole lot less healthy to me.

The Guardian - Film

Less healthy fats from red meat and fried foods.

The Washington Post

And it's making us poorer, less healthy and less green.

The Washington Post

But mostly they leave us sadder, poorer and less healthy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But such Brits are generally older and less healthy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about public health, specify which populations are "less healthy" and the factors contributing to this disparity to drive targeted interventions.

Common error

Avoid using "less healthy" when "unhealthy" is more accurate. "Less healthy" implies a minor difference, while "unhealthy" signifies a significant negative impact on health.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less healthy" functions as a comparative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced state of health in relation to another option or a general standard. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less healthy" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a comparative state of reduced health. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective for nuanced comparisons across various contexts, especially in discussions about food, lifestyle, and public health. While widely used, it's essential to ensure that its comparative nature is appropriate, opting for stronger terms like "unhealthy" when the impact is significantly negative. When using the phrase, specify the context and factors contributing to the difference in health to give added insight and promote focused interventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unhealthy

Directly expresses a degree of unhealthiness.

relatively unhealthy

Positions the unhealthiness in comparison to something else.

in poorer health

Emphasizes the state of health as being diminished.

declining in health

Indicates a process of becoming less healthy over time.

not as fit

Focuses on physical fitness rather than overall health.

in worse condition

Describes a decline in physical or medical state.

not quite as robust

Highlights a lack of vigor and strength.

not in the best shape

Implies a lack of physical well-being or conditioning.

a bit sickly

Suggests a mild state of illness or poor health.

suboptimal health

A more technical term for health that is below the ideal standard.

FAQs

How can I use "less healthy" in a sentence?

You can use "less healthy" to compare options, such as saying, "Processed foods are often "less healthy" than whole foods".

What's a good alternative to "less healthy"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "less healthy" include "in poorer health", "somewhat unhealthy", or "not as fit".

Which is correct: "less healthy" or "unhealthier"?

"Less healthy" is generally preferred for nuanced comparisons, while "unhealthier" is a direct comparative. Both are correct, but "less healthy" is often perceived as more formal and precise.

What's the difference between "less healthy" and "unhealthy"?

"Unhealthy" describes something detrimental to health, while "less healthy" indicates a comparative state where one option is worse for your health than another. For example, soda is "unhealthy", while diet soda may be "less healthy" than regular soda, but still not good for you.