Word
unhealthy
Phoneticsun·healthy
US/ənˈhɛɫθi/
UK/ʌnhˈɛlθi/
Definitions
01bad for your body
A2 · Elementary
adj. likely to make you sick or cause health problems over time.
adj. conducive to poor health; describing habits, diets, or environments that negatively impact physical well-being.
“Eating too much fast food is an unhealthy habit that can lead to weight gain.”
“The city's air quality reached unhealthy levels during the heatwave, prompting officials to advise residents to stay indoors.”
02sick or physically weak
A2 · Elementary
adj. not in good health; having a disease or a weak body.
adj. not possessing good health; physically unwell or displaying symptoms of illness.
“The plant looked unhealthy because it hadn't been watered in weeks.”
“The doctor was concerned by the patient's unhealthy complexion and ordered a series of blood tests to rule out anemia.”
03mentally or emotionally harmful
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. describing a feeling, relationship, or interest that is not normal or causes mental stress.
adj. indicative of or contributing to a disturbed mental or emotional state; often used to describe obsessive or toxic social dynamics.
“They decided to break up because they were in an unhealthy relationship.”
“The psychologist noted that the patient had developed an unhealthy obsession with social media validation, which was affecting his self-esteem.”
Etymology
From un- + healthy.
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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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