slightly ill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly ill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mild or minor state of illness, indicating that someone is not feeling well but not severely affected. Example: "After staying out in the cold for too long, I felt slightly ill the next day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Others made him "slightly ill".

The New York Times

"Slightly ill," replies Brett.

The Guardian - Music

Jones might be forgiven for feeling slightly ill at ease in the limelight.

The New York Times - Sports

IT'S difficult to move around on Long Island without feeling slightly ill all the time.

The New York Times

Marlene Dietrich seems slightly ill at ease asa German general's widow.

The New York Times

After gorging on "Game Change," I felt slightly ill, in need of fresh air.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"The poles were comfortable and sturdy, but slightly ill-weighted," Dr. Feldman said.

The New York Times

We both came across as confident and, on occasion, slightly ill-mannered, when met with disagreement from others.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And they sought to cast Mr. Gore and his advisers as at least somewhat irresponsible and slightly ill-tempered.

The New York Times

In 2009 and 2010 you could occasionally criticise him for making slightly ill-judged moves and hence having accidents.

The Guardian - Sport

Among the pictures of friendly Giants and Yankees are several images of besuited, slightly ill-at-ease-looking Asian men posing at Cubby's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's condition, use "slightly ill" to convey a mild degree of sickness without exaggerating the symptoms. This helps maintain a balanced and accurate portrayal of their health.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly ill" when the context suggests a more serious condition. Overusing it can diminish the impact of genuine illness and sound dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly ill" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a mild state of sickness. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, providing a nuanced way to express a degree of illness that is not severe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly ill" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a mild state of sickness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific writings. While many sources employ the phrase, the most authoritative include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC. When using "slightly ill", consider alternatives such as ""a little sick"" or ""a bit under the weather"" to diversify your language and avoid overstating the severity of an illness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little sick

A straightforward and common way to express mild illness.

a bit under the weather

An idiomatic expression suggesting a mild illness, often temporary.

somewhat unwell

A more formal way to say "slightly ill", implying a degree of discomfort.

not feeling quite right

Indicates a vague sense of being unwell without specifying the exact ailment.

ailing slightly

Suggests a mild and gradual decline in health.

off colour

An idiomatic phrase suggesting a lack of usual health and vitality.

not up to par

Implies a state of reduced performance or well-being.

a touch queasy

Describes a mild feeling of nausea or unease.

indisposed

A formal term for being slightly unwell or unavailable due to illness.

poorly

A simple term, indicating ill health.

FAQs

What does "slightly ill" mean?

The phrase "slightly ill" describes a state of being mildly sick or unwell, indicating that someone is not feeling their best but is not severely affected by the illness.

How to use "slightly ill" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly ill" to describe a person's condition, such as "After the roller coaster, I felt "a little sick"" or "She stayed home from work because she was "a bit under the weather"".

What can I say instead of "slightly ill"?

You can use alternatives like ""a little sick"", "not feeling well", or ""a bit under the weather"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a little ill" instead of "slightly ill"?

Yes, "a little ill" is a correct and commonly used alternative to "slightly ill". Both phrases convey the same meaning of being mildly unwell.