Nausea

ˈnɔːziə

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

A feeling of sickness in the stomach that makes you feel like you are going to vomit.

ˈnɔːziə

nounnegativeBeginner
General

The feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit.

The smell of rotten eggs caused her nausea.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a rollercoaster that spins you around and around. When you start to feel sick to your stomach and like you might throw up, that's nausea! Like when you get motion sick in a car or from eating something yucky.

👶 For kids: When your tummy feels yucky and you feel like you might throw up.

More Examples

2

After the bumpy ride, she experienced a sudden wave of nausea.

3

The doctor prescribed medication to alleviate the nausea.

How It's Used

Medical

"She felt a wave of nausea after taking the medication."

Everyday life

"The smell of the garbage made me feel nausea."

Idioms & expressions

feel nausea

To experience the physical sensation of sickness.

"After the ferry ride, many passengers started to feel nausea."

morning sickness

Nausea and vomiting experienced by some pregnant women.

"She was suffering from severe morning sickness during the first trimester of her pregnancy."

From Latin *nausea*, from Greek *ναυσία* (nausía, “seasickness”), from *ναῦς* (naûs, “ship”).

The word has been used since the late 16th century to describe the feeling of sickness, often related to seasickness. It quickly expanded to encompass any kind of feeling of sickness.

Memory tip

Think of a nauseating smell or experience.

nauseanauseah

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written