What Does “Ill” Mean

“Ill” means not feeling well or being sick. It can describe a small health problem, like a cold, or a more serious illness.

People use “ill” in everyday English when they want to say someone is unhealthy or unwell. For example, you might hear, “She is ill today,” or “I felt ill after the meal.”

Meaning & Usage

“Ill” is a common word for sickness or bad health. In British English, it is used a lot in daily speech. In American English, people often say “sick” instead, but “ill” is still understood.

Examples

• He is too ill to go to work.
• I felt ill after eating too much.
• She has been ill for a few days.

Is “ill” the same as “sick”?

Yes, in many cases they mean the same thing. “Ill” is more common in British English, while “sick” is more common in American English.

Can “ill” mean something other than health?

Yes, sometimes it can describe something bad or harmful, like “ill effects,” but the most common meaning is being unwell.