not looking well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not looking well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who appears to be unwell or in poor health. Example: "After the long flight, she was not looking well and needed to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

—  Timothy Robinson sat on his grandmother's couch, not looking well.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Farage, who was not looking well, sweating profusely throughout the debate, is unbeatable on the right-wing populist agenda mainly concerned with border controls that a fifth of the British electorate is especially receptive to.

The Economist

"He had been not looking well for the last few days," said Mr. Armstrong, who spent five hours in his office at 26 Broadway with Mr. Manes Thursday afternoon, reviewing details of the investigations into his activities.

The New York Times

Triple Jack! "I told him, 'Jack, you're not looking well,' and he went into the hospital, and that was the end," recalled Doc, the Monday and Wednesday bartender at the 65-year-old eating and drinking establishment in Grant City, Staten Island, one recent Monday.

The New York Times

What's more concerning, he adds, is that Jobs "did seem to recover well" from his initial surgery, "and then he was not looking well again.

Forbes

Between Facebook and this week's launch of Blippy – a service that allows you to broadcast your credit card transactions – it's certainly not looking well.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She did not look well.

The New Yorker

Holbrooke did not look well.

The Washington Post

All does not look well with Maria Sharapova.

The Guardian - Sport

"Ye do not look well, Princess," Axl said.

The Guardian - Books

He must have been in his early 80s, and he did not look well.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not looking well" to describe someone's appearance when they seem unwell, but avoid using it in overly formal or technical contexts where a more specific medical term might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "not looking well" in formal medical reports or professional health assessments. Opt for precise medical terminology to accurately describe a patient's condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not looking well" functions as a descriptive phrase. It typically modifies a subject, providing information about their current state of health or appearance. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not looking well" is a grammatically sound and commonly used descriptive phrase used to indicate that someone appears to be unwell. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and well-suited for expressing concern about someone's health or appearance in neutral contexts such as news reports and everyday conversation. While alternatives like "appearing unwell" or "under the weather" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and effective way to convey this sentiment. It's important, however, to choose more precise language in formal or medical settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearing unwell

Focuses on the visible impression of being sick.

looking sickly

Emphasizes a pale or unhealthy appearance.

under the weather

A more idiomatic expression for feeling unwell.

out of sorts

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or unease.

poorly

A simple and direct way to say someone is ill.

ailing

Implies a prolonged period of sickness.

indisposed

A more formal way of saying someone is unwell.

in poor health

A general statement about someone's health status.

not at their best

Suggests a temporary decline in health or performance.

peakish

Mainly British English informal term for looking slightly ill.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone is described as "not looking well"?

It typically means the person appears to be in poor health, tired, or unwell. Their physical appearance suggests they are not feeling their best.

What are some alternative ways to say someone is "not looking well"?

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

Is it appropriate to tell someone they are "not looking well"?

It depends on your relationship with the person and the context. It might be perceived as impolite or intrusive. Consider expressing concern in a gentle way, such as "Are you feeling alright?".

What's the difference between "not looking well" and "not feeling well"?

"Not looking well" refers to someone's outward appearance suggesting they are unwell, while "not feeling well" refers to their internal sensation of being sick or uncomfortable.