less than healthy

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than healthy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is in a state that is inferior to what is generally considered healthy--for example, "The air in this room is less than healthy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"This can't be anything less than healthy for the field".

The New York Times - Arts

First, his parents got divorced, leaving the fractured family in a less than healthy financial situation.

The Guardian - Music

"Processed food will inevitably be less than healthy and in the end will drive up those obesity figures.

Independent

He was less than healthy in last season's playoffs, a big reason the Lakers brushed the Spurs aside so easily in the Western Conference finals.

The New York Times

Kansas was less than healthy in its loss to Michigan State, although that game was a turning point for the Jayhawks.

The New York Times

Under the new proposal, banks that get into financial difficulty would have to pay more, not less, than healthy banks do to borrow from the Fed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"They don't appreciate that they have less-than-healthy lungs," Cornfield said.

Stanford University

Yes; LDL cholesterol is often considered less-than-healthy because, when eaten in excess, it can encourage the buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Columbia University

Heng says she feels a little less frightened of the end, and more at peace with her less-than-healthy eating habits.

Columbia University

If the Yankees thought that a less-than-healthy Jeter would be enough to perk up their offense, there was little evidence of it in recent days.

The New York Times - Sports

Critics point out that her recipes are little more than Southern basics, often with less-than-healthy additions like mayonnaise, extra butter, cake mix or Coca-Cola.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than healthy" to soften criticism, especially when discussing sensitive topics like personal habits or organizational performance. It's a more diplomatic way to address issues without sounding overly judgmental.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "less than healthy" without further elaboration. Vague descriptions can lack impact; specify which aspects are concerning. For example, instead of saying 'The company's financials are less than healthy', detail specific areas of concern like debt levels or revenue decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than healthy" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that is not in a state of optimal health or well-being. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and well-established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than healthy" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe a state that is not optimally healthy, applicable to physical health, financial situations, relationships, and more. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. The phrase softens negative assessments and is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific sources. When using "less than healthy", provide specific details to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Consider alternative phrases such as "somewhat unhealthy" or "suboptimal health" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unhealthy

Replaces 'less than' with 'somewhat', indicating a slightly unhealthy state.

not entirely healthy

Uses 'not entirely' to convey a partial lack of health.

suboptimal health

Employs 'suboptimal' to suggest a state below the ideal health condition.

imperfect health

Indicates that the state of health is flawed or not perfect.

in less than ideal condition

Uses a broader description to indicate that something is not in the best state of health.

declining health

Suggests a downward trend in health status.

poorly conditioned

Focuses on physical condition being below average.

in precarious health

Indicates a fragile or uncertain state of health.

unhealthy to some degree

Specifies that the unhealthiness is present but not necessarily severe.

not in the best shape

An idiomatic expression meaning not in optimal health.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than healthy" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "suboptimal health", "compromised well-being", or "declining health status" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "less than healthy" in a medical context?

While generally acceptable, in formal medical writing, it's better to use precise medical terminology. In less formal contexts, "less than healthy" can be used to describe a general state, but avoid it when specific diagnoses or conditions are relevant.

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

"Unhealthy" implies a definitive negative state, while "less than healthy" suggests a state that is not ideal but not necessarily severely negative. The latter is a milder expression.

Can "less than healthy" be used to describe things other than physical health?

Yes, "less than healthy" can also describe abstract concepts such as economic situations, relationships, or organizational structures. For example, "The company's financial situation is "less than healthy"".