Ill
/ɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsSuffering from a disease or ailment; not healthy.
/ɪl/
Affected by disease; not in good health.
He was too ill to go to school.
💡 Simply: When you're feeling bad, like you have a fever or a tummy ache, that means you're ill. Imagine you can't go out to play because you're not feeling well.
👶 For kids: When your body doesn't feel good and you're not healthy.
More Examples
She felt quite ill after eating that food.
The doctor said she was ill with a virus.
How It's Used
"She felt ill and decided to stay home from work."
"The child was taken ill with the flu."
Harmful, wicked, or unfavorable; causing or likely to cause harm.
/ɪl/
Evil or harmful.
The ill consequences of his actions were soon apparent.
💡 Simply: When something causes problems or is bad, like ill planning that leads to failure. If you plan something the 'ill' way, it will be bad.
👶 For kids: Something bad or not good.
More Examples
She wished him no ill.
An ill wind blows no good.
How It's Used
"He harbored ill intentions towards his rival."
"The movie depicted the ill effects of the pollution."
Badly, poorly, or unfavorably (used especially in negative constructions).
/ɪl/
Badly or poorly.
He can ill afford to lose his job.
💡 Simply: When you are doing something in a bad way, like you can 'ill afford' doing something or taking the time for that.
👶 For kids: Not well or good.
More Examples
She could ill explain the reason for her absence.
I can ill understand why you would do such a thing.
How It's Used
"She can ill afford to take time off work."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
ill at ease
Feeling uncomfortable, worried, or anxious.
"He was ill at ease during the job interview."
ill-advised
Not wise or sensible; likely to cause problems.
"It was an ill-advised decision to go out in the storm."
ill-fated
Destined to fail or have a tragic outcome.
"The ill-fated expedition never returned."
From Old Norse *illr* (evil, bad), Proto-Germanic *ilja-*.
The word 'ill' has been used since Old English times to describe disease or badness.
Memory tip
Think of 'ill' as being 'unwell' and needing medical care.