rather sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather sick" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is not feeling well, but not to the point of being extremely ill. Example: Sarah woke up feeling rather sick, so she decided to stay home from school and rest. In this sentence, "rather sick" implies that Sarah is feeling ill enough to stay home, but not so ill that she is bedridden or needs to see a doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I feel rather sick.

The Guardian - Arts

Or rather, sick of reading pieces about "breastfeeding nazis".

The Guardian - Opinion

But reading her memoir made me feel exploitative, prurient and sometimes rather sick.

The Guardian - Opinion

On August 12th, the Nakamuras, all of them still rather sick, went to the nearby town of Kabe and moved in with Mrs. Nakamura's sister-in-law.

The New Yorker

There were reports of restraurants offering, as a special, "Keith Floyd's Final Meal", but most diners succumbing to this rather sick stunt are likely to have woken up next morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

For American pop fans, Jamiroquai's song "Virtual Insanity" was a fancy slice of birthday cake: it caused a serious craving, but after a few bites its sugary intensity made people feel rather sick.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I'd rather get sick than be hot".

The New York Times

Eno has said he'd rather be sick than perform again: "It's his show.

The Guardian - Music

"It brings you to an era of healthcare rather than sick care," he added.

BBC

If musicians are anything like the rest of us, they'd rather be sick out of their eyes till they're dead than look at Nick Clegg slowly deteriorate from shame for another five years.

Vice

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather sick" to convey a milder degree of illness compared to saying someone is "very sick" or "seriously ill". It's suitable for situations where someone feels unwell but isn't incapacitated.

Common error

Avoid using "rather sick" in highly formal or professional documents where a more precise medical term might be appropriate. In such cases, consider using more specific terms like "experiencing mild nausea" or "reporting slight discomfort".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather sick" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, typically describing a person's state of health. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a mild degree of illness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather sick" effectively conveys a state of mild illness. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone who is not feeling well, but not to the point of being extremely ill. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to general conversations, making it a versatile option for expressing a milder degree of discomfort. While acceptable in many situations, it is advisable to use more precise medical terms in formal or professional settings. Alternatives like "somewhat unwell" or "slightly ill" can also be used to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat unwell

Implies a slight degree of illness, similar to "rather sick" but perhaps more gentle.

slightly ill

Indicates a mild state of being sick, akin to "rather sick" but emphasizing the mildness.

a bit queasy

Specifically suggests a feeling of nausea, a particular type of sickness.

feeling poorly

A general way of saying someone is not feeling well, like "rather sick" but more colloquial.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating mild sickness or low spirits.

not feeling well

A straightforward and common way to describe a state of being unwell.

slightly nauseated

More specific, indicating a mild feeling of needing to vomit.

indisposed

A formal way of saying someone is slightly unwell or unavailable.

not up to par

Suggests a decline from one's usual state of health or performance.

ailing slightly

A more formal way to express a mild state of sickness.

FAQs

What does "rather sick" mean?

The phrase "rather sick" indicates a state of being mildly ill or unwell. It suggests that someone isn't feeling their best, but the condition isn't severe or debilitating.

What can I say instead of "rather sick"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat unwell", "slightly ill", or "feeling poorly" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How do I use "rather sick" in a sentence?

You can use "rather sick" to describe your own or someone else's condition. For example, "I woke up feeling rather sick this morning", or "She stayed home from work because she was rather sick".

Is "rather sick" the same as "very sick"?

No, "rather sick" implies a milder condition than "very sick". "Very sick" suggests a more serious illness requiring medical attention, while "rather sick" indicates a less severe feeling of being unwell.