sickness

American  

[sik-nis] / ˈsɪk nɪs /

noun

1. a particular disease or malady.

2. the state or an instance of being sick; illness.

3. nausea; queasiness.

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sickness British  

/ ˈsɪknɪs /

noun

1. an illness or disease

2. nausea or queasiness

3. the state or an instance of being sick

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Etymology

Origin of sickness

before 1000; Middle English siknesse, seknesse, Old English sēocnesse. See sick ¹, -ness

Compare meaning

How does sickness compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sickness vs. illness

Example Sentences

"My lower back would always be like really sore and really tight. I get a sickness feeling at some points where you feel like you're going to throw up."

From BBC

She is traveling by train to an unnamed city for a book festival, where she will be expected to speak with authority about the war—an assumed connection that fills her with sickness and shame.

From The Wall Street Journal

One version of the molecule helped treat morning sickness in pregnant women, while its mirror image caused serious birth defects.

From Science Daily

At 35 weeks, she complained to midwives about abdominal pains and sickness but was told to stay at home and take paracetamol.

From BBC

By the end of the week I had worked myself into such a sickness of body and spirit that Mr. Moorman stopped at my bench to ask if something were wrong.

From Literature

Related Words

• ailment
• disease
• disorder
• ill health
• illness
• infirmity
• malady
• nausea
• syndrome