# sicker

/ˈsɪkɝ/ (US) · /sˈɪkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sicker
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

more ill or more unwell than before. It is a common way to compare two states of being sick.

For teachers: the comparative form of 'sick', indicating a greater degree of illness or unwellness. While standard in most dialects, it is considered non-standard in certain formal registers where 'more sick' is preferred.

## Examples

- He is feeling much sicker today than yesterday.
- After eating the spoiled seafood, she felt sicker and had to stay home from work for the rest of the week.
- The patient reported feeling increasingly sicker as the infection progressed, eventually requiring hospitalization to manage the severe dehydration and fever.

---

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.