healthy

[ hel-thee ]

adjective

, health·i·er, health·i·est.

1. possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality:

   a healthy body;

   a healthy mind.

   Synonyms: robust, hearty, hale

   Antonyms: sick

2. pertaining to or characteristic of good health or a sound and vigorous mind:

   a healthy appearance;

   healthy attitudes.

3. conducive to good health; healthful:

   healthy recreations.

   Synonyms: nourishing, nutritious

4. eligible for the Food and Drug Administration's label certifying that a food is suitable for helping consumers achieve a total diet that conforms to dietary recommendations.
5. prosperous or sound:

   a healthy business.

6. Informal. fairly large:

   I bought a healthy number of books.

healthy

/ ˈhɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. enjoying good health
2. functioning well or being sound

   the company's finances are not very healthy

3. conducive to health; salutary
4. indicating soundness of body or mind

   a healthy appetite

5. informal.
   considerable in size or amount

   a healthy sum

Derived Forms

• ˈhealthiness, noun
• ˈhealthily, adverb

Other Words From

• health·i·ly adverb
• health·i·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of healthy¹

First recorded in 1545–55; health + -y ¹

Synonym Study

Healthy, healthful, salubrious, salutary, wholesome refer to the promotion of health. Healthy, while applied especially to what possesses health, is also applicable to what is conducive to health: a healthy climate; not a healthy place to be. Healthful and salubrious are applied chiefly to what is conducive to health: healthful diet or exercise; a salubrious impact on mental outlook. Salutary suggests something that is conducive to well-being generally, as well as beneficial in preserving or in restoring health: salutary effects; to take salutary measures. It is used also to indicate moral benefit: to have a salutary fear of devious behavior. Wholesome has connotations of attractive freshness and purity; it applies to what is good for one, physically, morally, or both: wholesome food; wholesome influences or advice.

Example Sentences

Murray adds that he didn’t know how to say “no” in a healthy way and that he was burning the candle at both ends.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think it’s a healthy dose of both,” says Bear, poised at her piano.

From Los Angeles Times

While most cases are mild, commonly characterized by conjunctivitis and respiratory symptoms, this previously healthy teen was hospitalized from the virus in critical condition.

From Salon

"By working with, rather than against, how our brains naturally form habits, we can create strategies that make healthier choices more automatic at both individual and societal levels."

From Science Daily

Despite the seemingly daunting complexity of the global food system, to ensure a healthy population and planet, global diet shifts are required.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• active
• athletic
• fresh
• healthful
• hearty
• lively
• normal
• robust
• strong
• tough
• vigorous