looking peaky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking peaky" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who appears unwell or tired, often with a pale or drawn appearance. Example: "After staying up all night studying, she was looking a bit peaky this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The dollar's looking peaky Home-grown high Cash on call Who's to pay for Y2K?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It comes here with the same director, Mark Brokaw, and a British cast doing sterling, or dollar, accent woik, but it looks peaky.

The Guardian

Black levels tend to look elevated, noise levels are increased, skin tones often look peaky, and color values don't look balanced.

Forbes

"Have you got any water?" "You alright mate you look peaky?" "Nah I'm sort of...bugging out a little bit".

Vice

As protein and fat bask in the glow of their recovering nutritional reputation, carbohydrates – the soft, distended belly of government eating advice – are looking decidedly peaky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Friends of Labor will hope this is only a bad case of mid-term blues, but the patient is looking very peaky".

The New York Times

It houses not only lost items, but lost children and lost souls - several of whom are sprawled under blankets looking particularly peaky.

BBC

We'll have to make much of our Captain Birdseye bounty, because back in the financial sector that generated 11percentt of all UK taxes last year, things will be looking more peaky.

Vice

But he did look quite peaky for much of that period.

The Guardian - Books

When in 1870 the girl-mad Whistler had an illegitimate son by a local chambermaid, the news was kept from Anna, who sailed on oblivious, offering prayers and tracts to anyone she thought looked spiritually peaky.

The Guardian - Books

It's the constant, watchful attention, the meek alertness, she gives to the men that makes her so convincing, together with the fact that when left on her own, she looks simply peaky.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking peaky" to subtly indicate someone's unwell appearance without being overly direct. It's suitable for informal conversations and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "looking peaky" in formal or professional settings where a more direct and clear description of someone's health condition is required. Instead, opt for phrases like "appearing unwell" or "showing signs of illness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking peaky" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate their appearance. This combines a verb ("looking") with an adjective ("peaky") to create a visual impression of someone's state of health. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking peaky" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe someone appearing unwell or tired. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with more formal settings benefiting from clearer, more direct language. Alternatives such as "appearing unwell" or "looking pale" can provide similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "looking peaky" offers a subtle way to express concern about someone's well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking sick

A straightforward and direct way to say someone seems ill.

appearing unwell

This alternative uses a more general term to describe a state of poor health, without specifying the visual aspect.

looking pale

Focuses specifically on the paleness of complexion as an indicator of poor health.

looking washed out

Suggests a lack of color and vibrancy in one's appearance.

appearing tired

Highlights fatigue as the primary symptom, rather than illness.

seeming under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating mild illness.

looking run-down

Describes a state of general fatigue and depletion.

appearing drained

Emphasizes a loss of energy and vitality.

looking green around the gills

An idiomatic phrase specifically indicating nausea or seasickness.

appearing faint

Suggests a state of near-fainting or weakness.

FAQs

What does "looking peaky" mean?

The phrase "looking peaky" means appearing unwell, tired, or pale. It's often used to describe someone who doesn't look to be in good health.

What can I say instead of "looking peaky"?

You can use alternatives like "appearing unwell", "looking pale", or "seeming under the weather" depending on the specific context.

Is "looking peaky" a formal or informal expression?

"Looking peaky" is generally considered an informal expression. In formal or professional settings, it's better to use more direct and clear language like "appearing unwell" or "showing signs of illness".

How do I use "looking peaky" in a sentence?

You can use "looking peaky" in a sentence like this: "After working all night, she was "looking peaky" this morning."