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Synonyms

unwell

American  
[uhn-wel] / ʌnˈwɛl /

adjective

  1. not well; ailing; ill.

  2. Older Use. menstruating.

unwell British  
/ ʌnˈwɛl /

adjective

  1. (postpositive) not well; ill

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unwellness noun

Etymology

Origin of unwell

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; un- 1, well 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was generally feeling unwell but had no bowel symptoms, yet needed surgery just two days after his 50th birthday.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

He finished the game, and it wasn't until a few days later that he started to feel unwell.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Diagnosed with OCD and postpartum psychosis tendencies after giving birth, Sofii said she had "no idea" how unwell she was.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

She then spent a further period of time telephoning the A&E department but again could not get through, despite Frost being "significantly unwell".

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Ifemelu wished that she had noticed that Esther was unwell.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.