unwell

adjective

un·​well ˌən-ˈwel How to pronounce unwell (audio)
1
: being in poor health : ailing, sick
2
: undergoing menstruation

Examples of unwell in a Sentence

Miss Bennett, are you unwell? I am sorry she is feeling unwell.
Recent Examples on the Web Ana Benevides Machado began to feel unwell in the hours before Swift’s show at Estadio Nilton Santos on November 17. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2023 This created an impossible situation for hospitals filled with patients who were too unwell to be moved. WIRED, 19 Oct. 2023 These symptoms, along with fever, are also signs of flu and COVID-19, too, so if your child is feeling very unwell, consider having a doctor check your child for these viruses. Nicole Harris, Parents, 10 Sep. 2023 Netanyahu is said to be in generally good health, though he was briefly hospitalized last October after feeling unwell during prayers on Yom Kippur, day when observant Jews fast. BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023 Some ninety per cent of Americans report going to work while feeling unwell. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2023 Epps became unwell while attending the memorial service for Charles L. Blockson, a curator emeritus of the Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple, who died in June, according to Temple University. Teddy Grant, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023 The cause of the crash is still being investigated but it’s believed that the 40-year-old driver may have been unwell before the tragedy. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 4 Oct. 2023 Dodd started working at Goldman’s London office in November 2018 but reportedly became unwell in 2019 before quitting two years later. Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unwell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unwell was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unwell

Cite this Entry

“Unwell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwell. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

unwell

adjective
un·​well ˌən-ˈwel How to pronounce unwell (audio)
ˈən-
: being in poor health : ailing, sick

Medical Definition

unwell

adjective
un·​well -ˈwel How to pronounce unwell (audio)
: being in poor health : sick

More from Merriam-Webster on unwell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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