unwell
gb/ʌnwˈɛl/ us/ʌnwˈɛl/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
state
1
ill; not feeling healthy
If you are unwell, you feel sick and not healthy.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/feels/looks unwell; unwell with [illness]
Common mistake:
Unwell is an adjective: say “I feel unwell,” not “I unwell.”
Synonyms
ill (Common neutral synonym; often used in more formal contexts than sick.)
|
sick (Very common, especially in American English.)
|
poorly (Common in British English, slightly informal.)
|
indisposed (More formal and often used as a mild or polite way to say ill.)
Antonyms
well (In good health.)
|
healthy (Generally in good physical condition, not ill.)
Collocations
feel unwell
|be unwell
|look unwell
|become unwell
|suddenly unwell
|seriously unwell
|physically unwell
|unwell with the flu
|unwell after eating
|too unwell to work
Themes
health
|daily_life
Examples
- I’ve been feeling unwell since yesterday, so I’m staying home.
- She looked unwell during the meeting and left early.
- He was unwell with a fever and couldn’t sleep.
Learner examples
- I feel unwell today.
- She is unwell, so she is resting.
adjective
B2
state
2
mentally or emotionally ill
If someone is mentally unwell, they have mental health problems.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is mentally/emotionally unwell
Common mistake:
Avoid using unwell to label people casually; in mental health contexts it can sound sensitive or serious.
Synonyms
mentally ill (More direct and clinical; can sound harsher.)
|
unstable (Less precise; can be judgmental depending on context.)
Antonyms
stable (Mentally steady and not in crisis.)
|
well (Mentally healthy or coping well.)
Collocations
mentally unwell
|emotionally unwell
|deeply unwell
|seriously unwell
|unwell thoughts
|unwell behavior
Themes
mental_health
|emotions
|health
Examples
- His family realized he was mentally unwell and needed professional help.
- After the breakup, she felt emotionally unwell for weeks.
- The film portrays a character who is deeply unwell and isolated.
Learner examples
- He is mentally unwell and needs help.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unwell
IPA
GB/ʌnwˈɛl/
US/ʌnwˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
un - well (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (well)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unwell
Expressions
be taken unwell
1/bˈi tˈeɪkən ʌnwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
formal
suddenly become ill
To suddenly become sick.
Examples
- The speaker was taken unwell and the event was cancelled.
- She was taken unwell during the night and called an ambulance.
- He was taken unwell on holiday and had to fly home early.
be unwell
1/bˈi ʌnwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
be ill; not healthy
To be sick.
Examples
- She’s been unwell all week and hasn’t answered messages.
- I was unwell, so I missed the last class.
- Several passengers were unwell after the rough crossing.
feel unwell
1/fˈil ʌnwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
feel sick or ill
To feel sick.
Examples
- If you feel unwell, please tell a staff member.
- I started to feel unwell on the train home.
- She felt unwell and decided not to go out.
look unwell
1/lˈʊk ʌnwˈɛl/
fixed phrase
appear sick or ill
To seem sick.
Examples
- You look unwell—do you want to sit down?
- He looked unwell after the long flight.
- She looked unwell, with dark circles under her eyes.
unwell with [illness]
1/ʌnwˈɛl wˈɪθ ˈɪlnəs/
fixed phrase
ill because of a disease
Sick because of a particular illness.
Examples
- He’s unwell with a bad cold and can’t come in today.
- She was unwell with food poisoning for two days.
- Several children were unwell with the same symptoms.