sick

USAGE SUMMARY

'sick' is correct and usable in written English.
'Sick' can be used as an adjective to describe someone or something as unpleasant, unpleasant to look at, or not feeling well. For example, "I'm feeling a bit sick today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt sick.

The New York Times

I'm feeling a bit sick about this.

The Guardian

"We the undersigned are sick and tired of ITV and Channel 5 giving her airtime and want her banned from all tv shows on your channels such as This Morning and The Wright Stuff.

The Guardian

"Any song that expresses an author's frustration at 'being sick of blurred lines' is beyond unacceptable".

The Guardian - Music

Don't contact me again you make me feel sick".

The Guardian

"What sick bastard would want to provide free health care," it said.

The Guardian

"I'm never sick of the sight of chocolate," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A teacher might come to her and say they are sick of teaching a certain class.

The Guardian

The sick and pregnant must travel by boat to Bandar Abbas to see specialists.

The Guardian

"At first I didn't realise how bad it was but when I saw his leg, it made me feel sick.

The Guardian - Sport

Corrigan said people in Northern Ireland should show they are "sick of living in a discriminatory backwater for gay people".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using "sick" as slang. While it can mean "cool" or "amazing" in informal settings, this usage may not be appropriate in formal or professional environments.

Common error

Avoid using the slang meaning of "sick" (cool, awesome) in formal writing. This can lead to miscommunication and a lack of professionalism. Always consider your audience and the intended tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "sick" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of poor health or nausea. However, it can also function as slang to describe something amazing or cool. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sick" is versatile, carrying meanings from physical illness to slang for something impressive. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. As an adjective, it primarily describes a state of poor health or nausea. However, its informal use denotes excellence, requiring careful consideration of the context. Predominantly found in news, lifestyle, and sport articles, "sick" reflects its broad applicability. When writing, especially in formal contexts, be cautious of using the slang meaning to avoid miscommunication. Consider synonyms like "ill" or "unwell" for a more professional tone. In essence, understanding the nuances of "sick" ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill

A general term for not being in good health, similar to "sick" in its primary meaning.

feeling ill

Directly describes the state of experiencing sickness.

unwell

A more formal or polite way of saying "sick", indicating poor health.

nauseous

Specifically refers to the feeling of needing to vomit, a common symptom of being "sick".

under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling slightly ill or not at one's best.

disgusted

Expresses a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval, similar to one figurative sense of "sick".

repulsed

Similar to disgusted, implying a strong aversion or loathing.

grossed out

An informal way of saying disgusted or repulsed.

amazing

In some slang contexts, "sick" can mean excellent or impressive; this alternative captures that sense.

awesome

Another slang term for excellent or impressive, similar to the positive slang usage of "sick".

FAQs

How can I use "sick" in a sentence?

You can use "sick" to describe feeling unwell, as in "I feel sick today". It can also describe something unpleasant, such as "That's a sick joke". In slang, it can mean something is excellent, like "That song is sick".

What are some alternatives to saying "sick" when referring to illness?

Alternatives include "ill", "unwell", or "nauseous" depending on the specific symptoms you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sick" in professional writing?

While generally acceptable, it's often better to use more formal terms like "ill" or "unwell" in professional contexts. Avoid using the slang meaning of "sick" in such settings.

What's the difference between "sick" and "sickly"?

"Sick" generally refers to a current state of illness, while "sickly" describes someone who is frequently or habitually ill or unhealthy in appearance.