Healthy

ˈhɛlθi

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonMedical
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Free from disease or pain; in good physical and mental condition.

ˈhɛlθi

adjectivepositiveBeginner
Medical

Being in a state of good health.

She maintains a healthy diet and exercises regularly.

💡 Simply: Healthy means your body is working well and you're feeling good! It's like when you can run around and play without getting tired quickly.

👶 For kids: When your body is strong and you don't feel sick, you are healthy!

More Examples

2

The doctor confirmed that the patient was healthy.

3

A healthy lifestyle includes sufficient sleep and stress management.

How It's Used

Medical

"He's a healthy young man."

Nutrition

"Eating healthy food is important for overall well-being."

2

Promoting or contributing to good health; beneficial for health.

ˈhɛlθi

adjectivepositiveBeginner
General

Conducive to or promoting good health.

Regular exercise is a healthy habit.

💡 Simply: Healthy can also mean something is good for your body, like drinking water or going for a walk.

👶 For kids: If something helps you stay strong and well, it's healthy!

More Examples

2

The doctor recommended a healthy diet.

3

The new park is creating a healthy environment.

How It's Used

Lifestyle

"They adopted a healthy lifestyle to improve their well-being."

Environment

"The new park provides a healthy environment for the community."

Tip:Healthy actions are the ones that promote good health.
3

Showing signs of well-being and prosperity; thriving or vigorous.

ˈhɛlθi

adjectivepositivemedium
General

Indicating a satisfactory or thriving condition.

The company has a healthy profit margin.

💡 Simply: Healthy can also mean something is doing well, like a business making money or a friendship feeling strong.

👶 For kids: When something is growing strong and doing well, it's healthy!

More Examples

2

The economy shows healthy signs of recovery.

3

They have a healthy respect for each other.

How It's Used

Economics

"The company reported a healthy profit this quarter."

Relationships

"They maintain a healthy relationship based on trust."

Tip:Think of a healthy plant: it's thriving!

Idioms & expressions

healthy as a horse

In excellent health; very healthy and strong.

"Despite the flu season, she's as healthy as a horse."

healthy dose

A significant or considerable amount of something, often used metaphorically.

"The project requires a healthy dose of creativity to succeed."

From Old English *hǣlþig* ('healthy'), derived from *hǣlþ* ('health'), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *hailithō* ('health').

The word 'healthy' has been used in English since the Old English period to describe a state of well-being. Its usage has evolved to include metaphorical meanings like a healthy economy.

Memory tip

Think of the word 'health' as a base. Healthy means having that good base.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"whole, sound, complete"

healthy diethealthy lifestylehealthy relationshiphealthy profithealthy environment

Common misspellings

helthyhealtyhealthly

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written