First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1ill
adjective \ˈil\
: not well or healthy : sick or unhealthy
of health : not normal or good
: harmful or damaging
worse \ˈwərs\ worst \ˈwərst\
Full Definition of ILL
1
2
a : causing suffering or distress <ill weather> b comparative also ill·er superlative also illest (1) : not normal or sound <ill health> (2) : not in good health; also : nauseated
3
4
a : not meeting an accepted standard <ill manners> b archaic : notably unskillful or inefficient
5
: unfriendly, hostile <ill feeling>
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Origin of ILL
Middle English, from Old Norse illr
Related to ILL
Other Medicine Terms
2ill
adverb
: in a bad or imperfect way
: in an unfavorable or unkind way
worseworst
Full Definition of ILL
1
a : with displeasure or hostility b : in a harsh manner c : so as to reflect unfavorably <spoke ill of the neighbors>
2
: in a reprehensible manner
4
See ill defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ILL
13th century
3ill
noun
: bad or unlucky things
: a sickness or disease
ills : troubles or problems
Full Definition of ILL
1
: the reverse of good : evil
2
a : misfortune, distress b (1) : ailment, sickness (2) : something that disturbs or afflicts : trouble <economic and social ills>
3
: something that reflects unfavorably <spoke no ill of him>
See ill defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ILL
13th century
4ill
abbreviation
Definition of ILL
illustrated; illustration; illustrator
Ill
abbreviation
Definition of ILL
Illinois
Ill
geographical name \ˈēl\
Definition of ILL
river 129 miles (208 kilometers) NE France flowing into the Rhine
ILL[1] Defined for Kids
1ill
adjective \ˈil\
worse \ˈwərs\worst \ˈwərst\
Definition of ILL for Kids
1
: not in good health : sick <an ill person>
2
: not normal or sound <ill health>
3
: meant to do harm : evil <ill deeds>
4
: causing suffering or distress <ill weather>
5
: not helpful <He was plagued by ill luck.>
6
: not kind or friendly <ill intentions>
7
: not right or proper <ill manners>
2ill
adverb
worseworst
Definition of ILL for Kids
1
: with displeasure or anger <The remark was ill received.>
2
: in a harsh or unkind way <The animals were ill treated.>
4
: in a bad or faulty way <They're ill-prepared to face the winter.>
3ill
noun
Definition of ILL for Kids
1
: the opposite of good <Things will change for good or ill.>
2
: a sickness or disease <childhood ills>
3
: 1trouble 2 <society's ills>
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