illness

ill-ness · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.

  2. 2.

    The state of being ill or unwell.

Forms

plural: illnesses

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    mental illness — a disorder affecting mood, thinking, or behavior
  • •
    terminal illness — a disease that cannot be cured and will cause death
  • •
    chronic illness — a long-lasting health condition

Related words

Antonyms: health, wellness
See also: disease, health, ill, sick
Synonyms: ailment, disease, malady, sickness

Etymology

From Old Norse illr ("bad, evil") + the suffix -ness, forming a noun meaning "the state of being ill."