sickish

[ sik-ish ]

adjective

1. somewhat sick or ill.
2. somewhat sickening or nauseating.

Other Words From

• sickish·ly adverb
• sickish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickish¹

First recorded in 1575–85; sick ¹ + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

His food company grew from the necessity to feed himself in a way that doesn’t make him sluggish or sickish in the water but clear and optimal.

From Washington Post

“On some of the streets the stench — sweet and sickish from dead bodies — is overwhelming,” he wrote.

From Seattle Times

He could smell the sweet and now sickish odor of rum about himself.

From Literature

I enter a small room with a heavy desk, a yellow light shining sickishly on the dark green walls.

From Literature

I do not care for the Petunia close at hand on account of its sickish odor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ailing
• cranky
• feeble
• infirm
• lackluster