terribly sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terribly sick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is very ill or unwell, often conveying a sense of severity. Example: "After catching the flu, I felt terribly sick for several days and could barely get out of bed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I've been terribly sick".

The New Yorker

Then they got terribly sick.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't say I'm terribly sick," Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

So sick, terribly sick". Mabasa shook and hunched over.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've learned that she got terribly sick during chemotherapy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This was a real act of devotion on Diaghilev's part, for he was terribly sick.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

(mother of child 15) Indeed, several parents described using their GP's innocent interpretation of their child's symptoms to allay their deeper, unvoiced instincts that something more serious was wrong: You don't want your child to be sick, terribly ill, you just want someone to say 'it's fine, it's alright' so we kind of clung onto that, I suppose (mother of child 10).

BMJ Open

KD You write so much about exiles, outsiders, travellers, translators, although I know you get terribly travel sick, in Baumgartner's Bombay, Fire on the Mountain, Journey to Ithaca, Zigzag, Fasting Feasting, Artist of Disappearance.

The Guardian - Books

I tried to point out that her son was, at the time of leaving the commune, terribly underweight, sick, and disoriented, far from being able to make rational decisions and that Social Services had intervened as a matter of routine.

Vice

He was terribly, terribly ill.

The New Yorker

… I was so terribly disgusted with him.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical condition, use "terribly sick" to convey the severity of the patient's condition. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but consider the audience and adjust accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "terribly sick" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise medical terminology is preferred. Opt for terms like "critically ill" or "severely unwell" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terribly sick" functions as an adverb-adjective combination intensifying the state of being unwell. According to Ludwig AI, this combination is used to describe a state of severe illness. Examples in the search results demonstrate its use in both personal and reported experiences of illness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "terribly sick" is a commonly used phrase to describe a state of severe illness. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical structure is correct, and it is generally used in neutral to informal contexts, appearing frequently in news media, academic discussions, and scientific reports. While acceptable in many situations, more formal alternatives like "critically ill" or "severely unwell" may be preferred in highly professional settings. The phrase effectively communicates the intensity of the illness and is widely understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing significant discomfort or sickness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely ill

Replaces "terribly" with "extremely", maintaining a similar intensity.

gravely ill

Uses "gravely" to emphasize the seriousness of the illness.

seriously unwell

Substitutes "sick" with "unwell", offering a slightly more formal tone.

critically ill

Highlights the critical state of the person's health.

dreadfully ill

Uses "dreadfully" to convey a sense of suffering.

intensely nauseated

Focuses specifically on the symptom of nausea with high intensity.

horribly sick

Replaces "terribly" with "horribly" for emphasis.

violently ill

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the illness.

incredibly sick

Uses "incredibly" to denote a high degree of sickness.

woefully unwell

Implies a pitiable state of being unwell.

FAQs

What does "terribly sick" mean?

The phrase "terribly sick" means to be very ill or unwell. It implies a significant degree of sickness.

What can I say instead of "terribly sick"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely ill", "seriously unwell", or "gravely ill" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "terribly sick" in formal writing?

While "terribly sick" is generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate to use more formal terms like "critically ill" or "severely unwell" in professional or academic contexts.

How do you use "terribly sick" in a sentence?

Example: "After catching the flu, I felt terribly sick and could barely get out of bed."