Definition and meaning of English word "illness"
illness
/ɪˈlɪnəs/
Meaning
NounAn instance (episode) of a disease or poor health.
How to use
In medical contexts, 'illness' is often used interchangeably with 'disease', but it can also refer to a temporary or recurring condition, such as a cold or flu. For example: 'The patient's illness was caused by a bacterial infection.' Note that 'illness' can be used as a singular or plural noun, but it's often used in the singular form to refer to a specific episode or instance of poor health. For instance: 'Her illness lasted for several weeks.'
🇬🇧 English
illness
Example
The illness lasted for a week.
She recovered from her illness.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- illness and injury— a situation where a person is suffering from both an illness and an injury
- chronic illness— a long-term illness that persists or recurs over time
- mental illness— a condition that affects a person's mental health, such as depression or anxiety
More Body & Health words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #325 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "illness" mean?▼
The English word "illness" means "illness" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "illness"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "illness" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "illness"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "The illness lasted for a week." (which translates as "illness").
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