Word
unwell
Phoneticsun·well, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈwɛɫ/
UK/ʌnwˈɛl/
Definition
adj. feeling sick or not healthy. You use this word to describe someone who is ill, but it often sounds a bit more polite or formal than saying 'sick'.
adj. suffering from illness or poor health. Often used predicatively following linking verbs such as 'feel', 'look', or 'seem'.
Examples
“He stayed home today because he felt unwell.”
“The teacher noticed that Sarah looked quite unwell and suggested she visit the school nurse.”
“Although she appeared physically recovered, she continued to feel generally unwell for several weeks following the initial infection.”
Examples
simple
“He stayed home today because he felt unwell.”
contextual
“The teacher noticed that Sarah looked quite unwell and suggested she visit the school nurse.”
complex
“Although she appeared physically recovered, she continued to feel generally unwell for several weeks following the initial infection.”
Usage
Typically used predicatively (after the verb) rather than attributively (before the noun).
Pitfall
an unwell man
a sick man
In modern English, 'unwell' is almost always used after a verb like 'is' or 'feels' rather than directly before a noun.
Etymology
From un- + well.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/unwell