Sickness: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a temporary feeling of being unwell, like nausea or the flu. It can also broadly refer to any state of being unwell.

• She missed school because of her sickness.
• Motion sickness makes it hard for him to travel by boat.

A general term for the state of being unwell, often used interchangeably with disease but can also refer to mental health conditions.

• She took a leave of absence due to mental illness.
• His prolonged illness worried his entire family.

Used to describe a specific, diagnosed medical condition, often infectious or chronic, and can range from mild to severe.

• He was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease.
• The disease spread quickly through the community.

Usually refers to a minor or chronic condition that causes discomfort or pain but is not life-threatening.

• He was suffering from a minor ailment that made it difficult for him to concentrate.
• Her chest ailment caused her to cough frequently.

Used to describe a state of being ill or having a disease.

• She stayed home from work because of her sickness.
• The doctor diagnosed him with a rare sickness.

Used to describe a state or situation that is unpleasant or annoying.

• There was an unpleasantness between the two colleagues.
• The weather brought an unexpected unpleasantness to the picnic.

Used to describe dishonest or fraudulent conduct, typically by those in power. Has a negative connotation.

• The mayor was arrested for corruption.
• Corruption in the company led to its downfall.

Used to describe a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease, often without a specific cause.

• She felt a sense of malaise before the exams.
• Society is suffering from a general malaise due to economic uncertainties.