unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē 

unhealthier; unhealthiest

1

: not conducive to health : not healthful

an unhealthy climate

unhealthy habits

unhealthy foods

2

: not in good health : sickly, diseased

unhealthy animals

3

a

: risky, unsound

an unhealthy economy

b

: of a harmful nature : bad, injurious

unhealthy levels of lead

c

: morally contaminated : corrupt, unwholesome

an unhealthy imagination

unhealthily

ˌən-ˈhel-thə-lē 

adverb

unhealthiness

ˌən-ˈhel-thē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• insalubrious
• noisome
• noxious
• sickly
• unhealthful
• unwholesome

Examples of unhealthy in a Sentence

Her skin looks blotchy and unhealthy.

Tests revealed an unhealthy level of lead in the water.

Eating honey can be unhealthy for babies.

He was stuck in an unhealthy relationship.

She has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Excessive work hours demanded by a company, over which an employee has no control, are unhealthy and can have heartbreaking consequences. —Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Perhaps Sprite with Summer Fruit Syrup and coconut milk? How unhealthy is dirty soda? —Emily Bloch, Bon Appétit, 27 Sep. 2024

L’Oreal’s balance sheet isn’t unhealthy—but is beleaguered by trailing sales in certain geographies. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024

Turmeric and ginger can potentially help prevent or limit the severity of heart disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage and lowering unhealthy fats. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy ˌən-ˈhel-thē 

1

: not conducive to good health : not healthful

an unhealthy climate

2

: not in good health : sickly, diseased

3

a

: risky, unsound

an unhealthy economy

b

: injurious, bad

unhealthily

-thə-lē 

adverb

unhealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

unhealthy

adjective

un·​healthy -ˈhel-thē 

unhealthier; unhealthiest

1

: not conducive to health

an unhealthy climate

2

: not in good health : sickly

unhealthiness noun