Word
nauseous
Phoneticsnau·seous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɔʃəs/
UK/nˈɔːsɪəs/
Definitions
01feeling sick
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. feeling like you are about to vomit or have an upset stomach.
adj. experiencing a sensation of stomach distress and the urge to vomit.
“The smell of the old fish made her feel nauseous immediately.”
“After the turbulent flight, several passengers reported feeling nauseous and requested water from the cabin crew.”
02causing sickness
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing something so disgusting or unpleasant that it makes people feel sick.
adj. inducing a feeling of nausea; sickening or loathsome in nature.
“The nauseous smell of the chemicals filled the entire factory floor.”
“The documentary detailed the nauseous conditions of the nineteenth-century slums, shocking the modern audience with its graphic descriptions.”
Synonyms
Usage
Often follows linking verbs such as 'feel', 'become', or 'grow'.
Pitfall
The movie was so nauseous.
The movie was so nauseating.
In careful or formal writing, 'nauseous' describes the person feeling sick, while 'nauseating' describes the thing that causes the feeling.
Real-World Examples
“Ever since, she's been feeling "very nauseous" when he takes her on long car journeys.” “Reni said their child felt dizzy and nauseous before developing stomach problems after eating the meal.” “Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and can feel nauseous, anxious and irritable, and get headaches even at lower doses.” “Her bedroom was cluttered with purses and clothing, as she constantly felt nauseous and feared that bending down to retrieve items would induce vomiting.” Etymology
From Latin nauseōsus (“causing nausea”), corresponding synchronically to nausea + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/nauseous