# bedridden

/ˈbɛˌdɹɪdən/ (US) · /bˈɛdɹɪdən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bedridden
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

unable to get out of bed for a long time because you are very sick or hurt.

For teachers: confined to bed for an extended period due to serious illness, injury, or infirmity. Implies prolonged incapacity rather than brief rest.

## Examples

- Her grandfather is bedridden after his fall.
- After the surgery, she is bedridden for two weeks while a nurse visits daily.
- The novelist remains bedridden for months with a spinal injury and dictates chapters from memory.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.