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Definition ill in British English

ill adjective

adjective
/ɪl/

▪ critically, dangerously, desperately, gravely, really, seriously, severely, very

1

not healthy, because of a medical condition or an injury. The usual American word is sick

Example

He's been ill for a couple of weeks.

Example

She was too ill to travel.

Example

mentally ill patients

Example

terminally ill (=going to die because of an illness)

Example

Her husband is seriously ill in hospital.

Example

She was unlucky enough to fall ill on holiday.

Example

Samantha was seriously ill with a fever.

Synonyms and related words
2

bad, or harmful

Example

Their defeat was mainly due to their ill-discipline.

Example

The fish didn't taste fresh, but we suffered no ill effects.

Example

Bouts of ill temper punctuated the match.

Synonyms and related words
Definition ill in British English