ill
/ɪl/suffering from a physical or mental illness
He was too ill to attend school.
He was too sick to go to school.
Can describe both temporary and chronic conditions.
morally wrong or unjust
The ill treatment of prisoners was condemned.
The unjust treatment of prisoners was condemned.
Less common usage, often in formal or literary contexts.
Collocations
Synonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Ill' is often used in formal or written contexts. In casual speech, 'sick' is more common.
⚡Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'ill' in formal writing or medical contexts. For everyday speech, 'sick' is preferred.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'ille', from Old English 'eall', meaning 'evil' or 'bad'. The sense of 'sick' developed in the 14th century.
📝Usage Notes
In modern usage, 'ill' primarily refers to physical or mental sickness. The moral sense ('wrong') is archaic but may appear in formal writing.