ill
13 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of ILL
1
a
:
not well or healthy
:
sick or unhealthy
— usually used after a verb
-
a chronically/critically/terminally ill patient
-
mentally ill adults
-
I felt ill [=sick] all afternoon.
-
What's wrong? You look ill.
-
He had been ill for several years.
-
More than half of those exposed to the virus eventually become ill.
-
She suddenly fell ill. = She was suddenly taken ill. = (US) She suddenly took ill.
-
(US) The sight made her physically ill. [=the sight made her nauseated]
-
(US) He became violently ill. [=he vomited]
◊ The comparative form iller and the superlative form illest are sometimes used for this sense.
-
I have never seen him looking iller. [=worse, (US) sicker]
-
That's the illest [=worst, (US) sickest] I have ever seen him.
b
of health
:
not normal or good
-
Her ill [=poor] health forced her to retire early.
2
always used before a noun
:
harmful or damaging
-
That dog can eat almost anything with no ill effects.
-
They had been subjected to months of ill treatment.
3
always used before a noun
:
not helpful or lucky
-
They seem to be plagued by ill [=bad] luck/fortune.
-
an ill omen
◊ The saying it's an ill wind that blows no good or it's an ill wind that blows nobody (any) good means that something that is bad in most ways is usually also good in some way.
4
always used before a noun
:
not kind or friendly
—
see also ill will
-
an angry customer's ill humor/temper
-
We harbor no ill intentions toward them.
-
Her comment caused some ill feeling/feelings. [=feelings of anger or resentment]
2
ill
/ˈɪl/
adverb
2
ill
/ˈɪl/
adverb
Britannica Dictionary definition of ILL
1
:
in a bad or imperfect way
:
badly,
poorly
— often hyphenated
-
He is being ill served by his advisers.
-
He is ill-equipped [=he does not have the experience or preparation that is needed] to handle so much responsibility.
-
They were ill-prepared for the cold weather.
-
Her arrival was ill-timed. [=she arrived at a bad time]
-
a pet ill-suited for travel [=a pet that is difficult to take with you when you travel]
2
:
in an unfavorable or unkind way
—
see also bode ill at bode
-
Please don't think ill of me.
-
He was a good man who never spoke ill of anyone.
ill afford
◊ If you can ill afford something, you should not do it or get it because it will cause problems.
-
We can ill afford more bad publicity.
-
She bought a new car, which she could ill afford.
3
ill
/ˈɪl/
noun
plural
ills
3
ill
/ˈɪl/
noun
plural
ills
Britannica Dictionary definition of ILL
1
[noncount]
:
bad or unlucky things
-
She does not wish ill on/upon anyone. = She does not wish anyone ill.
-
After the war, the country was changed, for good and for ill. [=in good ways and in bad ways]
2
a
[count]
:
a sickness or disease
— usually plural
-
They claimed to have a cure for every ill. [=ailment]
b
ills
[plural]
:
troubles or problems
-
the ills of society
