ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ills

n. plural-only
C1 Advanced US //ˈɪɫz// UK //ˈɪlz// ills

n. the problems, troubles, or diseases that affect a person or a society. It is often used to talk about big issues like poverty or unfairness.

n. problems, difficulties, or diseases, especially those affecting a society or a person's well-being. Frequently used in the plural to describe systemic or widespread social issues.


SIMPLE

The government promised to cure the country's social ills.

CONTEXTUAL

The new policy was designed to address the various economic ills that had plagued the region for decades.

COMPLEX

Philosophers have long debated whether the many ills of modern civilization are the inevitable price of technological progress or merely the result of poor institutional design.

Synonyms
Usage

Almost exclusively used in the plural form when referring to social or physical problems.

© 2026 English Reference