Unhealthy
/ʌnˈhɛlθi/
Definitions
2 meaningsBeing in a state of poor physical or mental health; not conducive to good health.
/ʌnˈhɛlθi/
Not in good health; suffering from a disease or illness.
He has an unhealthy diet filled with processed foods.
💡 Simply: Imagine you've been eating a lot of candy and not getting enough sleep. Your body starts to feel yucky. That's an unhealthy feeling! It's when your body or mind isn't doing well, like it's not getting what it needs.
👶 For kids: When your body or mind isn't feeling good, like you're sick or tired.
More Examples
The unhealthy air quality in the city is affecting many residents.
The prolonged stress was contributing to an unhealthy mental state.
How It's Used
"The doctor advised him to change his lifestyle due to his unhealthy heart."
"She looked pale and complained of feeling unhealthy."
Detrimental to health; causing or likely to cause harm to the physical or mental state.
/ʌnˈhɛlθi/
Harmful to health; not promoting physical or mental well-being.
His unhealthy lifestyle contributed to his early death.
💡 Simply: Think about eating too much junk food or staying up all night playing video games. Those things are *unhealthy* because they're not good for your body or mind. They can make you feel bad.
👶 For kids: Something that's not good for your body, like eating too many sweets.
More Examples
The company promotes an unhealthy work environment.
Watching too much TV can be an unhealthy habit.
How It's Used
"Smoking is an unhealthy habit that significantly increases the risk of cancer."
"She had an unhealthy obsession with her ex-partner."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
unhealthy obsession
An extreme and excessive focus on a particular person, thing, or idea that is detrimental to one's well-being.
"Her unhealthy obsession with her weight led to an eating disorder."
unhealthy relationship
A relationship characterized by dysfunction, negativity, and behaviors that are harmful to the individuals involved.
"They were in an unhealthy relationship marked by constant arguments and control."
From Old English *unhǣlth* (un- + health), indicating the absence of health. The modern form solidified by Middle English.
The word 'unhealthy' has been used since the late 14th century. Early usages were in the sense of 'sickly' or 'ailing'. The usage expanded to include things that caused or promoted illness by the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'un-' as 'not' and 'healthy' as 'well'. Unhealthy is 'not well'.
Word Origin
"wholeness, health"