sick
/sɪk/Feeling ill or unwell, typically with physical symptoms like nausea, fever, or pain
She stayed home because she was feeling sick.
He called in sick to work.
Can also be used to describe something unpleasant or disgusting (informal context)
Extremely good or impressive (informal, slang)
That concert was sick!
His new car is sick.
Common in youth slang, especially in North America
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💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'sick' depends heavily on context. In formal settings, it typically refers to illness, while in informal speech, it can mean 'excellent' or 'disgusting'.
⚡Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal
In professional or formal writing, use 'sick' only to describe illness. In casual conversation, it can have other meanings.
📖Word Origin
Old English 'sēoc' (past participle of 'sēcan' meaning 'to be sick'), from Proto-Germanic 'sekwaz'
📝Usage Notes
In informal contexts, 'sick' can also mean 'disgusting' (e.g., 'That smell is sick') or 'excellent' (e.g., 'That skateboard trick was sick').