sickly

[ sik-lee ]

adjective

, sick·li·er, sick·li·est.

1. not strong; unhealthy; ailing.

   Synonyms: infirm, feeble, sick, puny, weak, frail

2. of, connected with, or arising from ill health:

   a sickly complexion.

3. marked by the prevalence of ill health, as a region:

   the epidemic left the town sickly.

4. causing sickness.
5. nauseating.
6. maudlin and insipid; mawkish:

   sickly sentimentality.

7. faint or feeble, as light or color.

adverb

1. in a sick or sickly manner.

verb (used with object)

, sick·lied, sick·ly·ing.

1. to cover with a sickly hue.

sickly

/ ˈsɪklɪ /

adjective

1. disposed to frequent ailments; not healthy; weak
2. of, relating to, or caused by sickness
3. (of a smell, taste, etc) causing revulsion or nausea
4. (of light or colour) faint or feeble
5. mawkish; insipid

   sickly affectation

adverb

1. in a sick or sickly manner

Derived Forms

• ˈsickliness, noun

Other Words From

• sickli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sickly¹

1300–50; Middle English siklich, sekly (adj.). See sick ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

The results aren't particularly great - the song is sickly and overlong - but the fact that it's coherent at all is a testament to his skill as a producer, arranger, mentor and referee.

From BBC

Sugar and other ingredients in Halloween treats can cast a sickly spell on the trillions of microorganisms that reside in your gut, collectively known as the gut microbiome.

From Salon

As it broke apart in the water, it looked sickly, with glowing green streaks running through it.

From Los Angeles Times

If you know anything about Burton’s movies, you know that they tend to feature characters who embody all the qualities of a sickly Victorian-era child: waifish, sunken doe-eye and gaunt faces with a deathlike pallor.

From Salon

Sixty-four years before America's second Catholic president destroyed his presidential campaign with a bad debate showing, the first Catholic president made history by appearing to be more physically and intellectually vibrant during an opening debate against his sallow and sickly opponent.

From Salon

Related Words

• ailing
• cranky
• feeble
• infirm
• lackluster