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Translate files Sickly
/ˈsɪkli/
Meaning & Definition
adjective
affected by illness or disease; unhealthy.
The sickly child had to stay home from school.
having a pale or unhealthy color; gaunt.
She looked sickly after weeks of not feeling well.
characterized by excessive sentimentality; overly sentimental.
The movie was so sickly sweet that I couldn't finish it.
tending toward sickness or poor health; weak.
He had a sickly disposition, often falling ill.
Etymology
From the word sick + -ly.
Common Phrases and Expressions
sickly sweet
An excessively sweet, often cloying taste or smell.
sickly child
A child who is often ill or has a pale appearance.
sickly pale
An appearance that is very pale due to illness.
sickly smile
A forced or unnatural smile, often reflecting discomfort.
Related Words
ill
suffering from a disease or not well.
ailing
suffering from an illness.
unwell
not healthy; ill.
Slang Meanings
Something that is off or not right.
That food looks sickly, I wouldn't eat it.
Feeble or weak in character or spirit.
His sickly attitude made it hard for him to make friends.