unhealthy

1 of 2

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 eating habits

unhealthy levels of lead

c

: involving or causing feelings or thoughts that are not normal and healthy

an unhealthy relationship

has an unhealthy interest in natural disasters

unhealthily

ˌən-ˈhel-thə-lē 

adverb

unhealthiness

ˌən-ˈhel-thē-nəs 

noun

unhealthiness

2 of 2

noun

un·​healthiness "+ 

: the quality or state of being unhealthy

Synonyms of unhealthy

Adjective

• poisonous
• toxic
• unhealthful
• unwholesome
• sickly
• noxious

Examples of unhealthy in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Nike told Vogue Business that Hill, who became CEO in 2024, has cleaned up unhealthy inventory, reset the marketplace, and created more space for a new series of Nike performance products and innovation. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

But that life was disrupted when her father took up a mistress and developed an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, causing Barbara to move several times and board with neighbors before eventually settling into a two-room apartment with her mother. — Genevieve Uzamere, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

According to the American Lung Association, ozone exposure this year is higher than the past five years, with more than 4 in 10 people in the United States currently living in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. — Dan Peck, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

New research presented at an international cancer conference this week suggests that unhealthy sleeping patterns may contribute to the development and progression of breast cancer. — David Cox, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unhealthy

• healthy
• stealthy
• wealthy

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