Meaning & Definition of word "Ill"

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    Ill

    /ɪl/

    noun:

    • 1. A condition of being sick or unwell.
      • Example: The doctor treated her for the ills that plagued her.

    adjective:

    • 1. Affected by physical or mental illness.
      • Example: She felt ill after eating the undercooked chicken.
    • 2. Badly or poorly; in an unfavorable manner.
      • Example: He was treated ill by his coworkers.
    • 3. Morally bad or wicked.
      • Example: The ill consequences of his actions were evident.

    adverb:

    • 1. In a bad manner; poorly.
      • Example: He plays the piano ill compared to his sister.

    Etymology

    Middle English, from Old English ‘ikil’, meaning 'bad' or 'foul'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    ill at ease:

    Feeling uncomfortable or anxious.

    ill will:

    A feeling of hostility or enmity.

    ill-fated:

    Doomed to disaster; unlucky.

    Related Words

    illness:

    A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.

    bad:

    Not good in any manner or degree.

    malady:

    A disease or ailment.

    Slang Meanings of ill

    Meaning: Cool or impressive.

    Example Sentence: That new car is ill!

    Meaning: Unfortunate or problematic.

    Example Sentence: It’s ill when you miss the bus in the rain.