sickly

¹sick·ly

adjective \ˈsi-klē\

Definition of SICKLY

1

: somewhat unwell; also : habitually ailing

2

: produced by or associated with sickness <a sickly complexion> <a sickly appetite>

3

: producing or tending to produce disease : unwholesome <a sickly climate>

4

a : appearing as if sick

b : lacking in vigor : weak <a sickly plant>

5

: sickening <a sickly odor>

— sick·li·ness noun

Examples of SICKLY

1. The walls were painted a sickly yellow.
2. The lamp gave off a sickly glow.

First Known Use of SICKLY

14th century

Related to SICKLY

Synonyms

ailing, invalid, weakly

Antonyms

healthy, well

Related Words

bedfast, bedridden; delicate, fragile, frail; dying, fading, incurable, moribund; challenged, debilitated, incapacitated, lame; decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, weak, weakened, worn-out; ill, indisposed, peaked, poorly, run-down, sick, unhealthy, unsound, unwell

Near Antonyms

able-bodied, fit, hale, hearty, sound, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome

²sickly

transitive verb

sick·liedsick·ly·ing

Definition of SICKLY

: to make sick or sickly

First Known Use of SICKLY

1763

sick·ly

adjective \ˈsik-lē\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SICKLY

1

: somewhat unwell; also : habitually ailing <a sickly child>

2

: produced by or associated with sickness <a sickly complexion>

3

: producing or tending to produce disease <a sickly climate>

4

: tending to produce nausea <a sickly odor>