Morbid
/ˈmɔːrbɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsSuggesting an unhealthy interest in unpleasant subjects like death and disease.
/ˈmɔːrbɪd/
Characterized by or appealing to an abnormal and unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects, especially death and disease.
The movie's graphic violence reflected a morbid fascination with death.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who's a little *too* into spooky stuff, like scary movies or talking about death a lot. That's morbid! They might find it fascinating, but it's usually in a way that makes others uncomfortable.
👶 For kids: When something is morbid, it's like it's a little bit too interested in things that are yucky or sad, like sickness or dying.
More Examples
His morbid curiosity led him to visit the abandoned asylum.
Her stories often had a morbid, dark edge to them.
A morbid fear of heights kept him from enjoying the view.
How It's Used
"The psychologist noted the patient's morbid fascination with crime scenes."
"The gothic novel was filled with morbid descriptions of decay and despair."
"She had a morbid sense of humor, often making jokes about funerals."
Relating to or caused by disease.
/ˈmɔːrbɪd/
Relating to or affected by disease.
The doctor examined the patient's morbid symptoms.
💡 Simply: When something is 'morbid' it can also mean having to do with disease or illness. So, someone might have a morbid illness.
👶 For kids: If something is morbid, it can also mean it has something to do with being sick.
More Examples
The hospital dealt with many morbid cases daily.
The morbid state of the patient required immediate care.
How It's Used
"The patient's morbid condition required immediate treatment."
"Researchers studied the morbid characteristics of the virus."
From Latin *morbus* ('disease') + -id (suffix forming adjectives), reflecting its association with disease or death.
The term 'morbid' has been used since the 16th century, initially to refer directly to disease, and later to a more figurative sense of unhealthy interest or state of mind. It became more prevalent in literature during the Romantic and Victorian eras.
Memory tip
Think of a *morbid* *bird* that is only interested in dead things
Practice
Word Origin
Root: morbus