Sickly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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sickly
sick-ly
Definitions
feeling unwell
Easily upset by the sight of blood, she grew sickly at the sight of the accident. He had a sickly complexion and always seemed to be catching colds. The sickly child needed constant care and attention.
Synonyms
ailing, pale, unhealthy, unwell.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| sickly |
Describes someone who often appears to be ill or frail. It can be used to describe appearance or general health condition.
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| unhealthy |
Can describe someone or something that is not in a good state of health, often linked to lifestyle choices or environmental factors.
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| ailing |
Typically used to describe someone who is ill, especially for a long time, or an entity like a company that is struggling to perform well.
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| unwell |
General term to describe someone feeling sick or not in good health, usually in a temporary sense.
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| pale |
Often used to describe someone's complexion, indicating they may be feeling unwell, scared, or shocked.
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Examples of usage
- She looked sickly and pale.
- The sickly smell of the flowers made her feel nauseous.
- His sickly appearance worried his friends.
weak or fragile
The sickly plant struggled to survive in the harsh environment. The old house had a sickly appearance with peeling paint and cracked windows. Her sickly voice betrayed her nervousness.
Synonyms
delicate, fragile, frail, weak.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| sickly |
This word is often used to describe someone who frequently falls ill or appears unhealthy. It can carry a negative connotation.
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| fragile |
Fragile is used to describe something that is easily broken or damaged. It can also be applied to describe someone's emotional state being sensitive.
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| weak |
Weak can describe someone or something that lacks strength, power, or energy. It is a general term and can be used in various contexts, including physical strength, emotional resilience, or effectiveness.
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| delicate |
This word is typically used to describe someone or something that is easily broken or damaged, or someone who needs careful treatment. It can also refer to a refined sensitivity.
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| frail |
This word often describes someone, especially an elderly person, who is physically weak or feeble. It can also be used more generally for something weak.
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Examples of usage
- The sickly tree drooped from lack of water.
- The sickly kitten mewed pitifully.
- His sickly constitution made him susceptible to illness.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “sickly”
Sickly is a 2-syllable adjective (sick-ly). It is pronounced /ˈsɪkɫi/ in American English and /sˈɪkli/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 8 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #14,527 among the most common English words.
Did you know?
“sickly” in health
- Sickly can refer to chronic conditions that cause fatigue or illness, leading to a pale or dull appearance.
- Environmental factors, like poor nutrition or living conditions, can make individuals appear sickly.
- In medicine, the term 'sickly' can describe symptoms of various illnesses, prompting a closer look at underlying health issues.
“sickly” in literature
- Authors often use 'sickly' to convey sadness or weakness in characters, enhancing emotional depth.
- In fairy tales, sickly characters may represent vulnerability or the need for care, drawing empathy from the audience.
- In poetry, the imagery of sickly plants symbolizes decay or loss, enriching the themes of mortality.
“sickly” in cultural perception
- In some cultures, a sickly appearance might be associated with misfortune or bad luck.
- The aesthetic of sickliness has been romanticized in art, illustrating beauty in fragility.
- Fashion and pop culture occasionally embrace a sickly look, highlighting contrasts between health and artistic expression.
“sickly” in psychology
- Feeling sickly can affect mental health, leading to feelings of depression or anxiety due to persistent ill health.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy often helps individuals manage perceptions of illness-related anxieties.
- Children exposed to illness might develop a sickly perception of health, influencing their behavior and stress responses.
Origin of 'sickly'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'sickly' comes from the word 'sick,' which originated from the Old English 'sēoc', meaning ill or weak.
- The '-ly' suffix indicates a quality, turning 'sick' into an adjective that describes something that has the nature of being sick.
- The use of 'sickly' dates back to the late 14th century, originally describing someone frequently falling ill.
The word 'sickly' originated from the Middle English word 'sikel', which meant 'having a tendency to become ill'. It has been used to describe someone who is frequently unwell or has a weak constitution. Over time, 'sickly' has evolved to also describe things that are weak, fragile, or in poor condition.
Rhymes
Sickly rhymes with quickly, thickly, prickly, slickly, bickley, brickley, mickley and nicley.