Health / B1

ILN-uh-s/ˈɪlnəs/

Illness is a period of being unwell, or a particular type of disease: a serious illness; absence due to illness; mental illness. Disease is often a named medical condition; sickness can mean vomiting or time off work (sickness absence); unwell is the adjective. Ill is the UK adjective (US often sick). Recover from an illness. Illness is uncountable for the idea in general and countable for one episode or type.

Meaning

A period of being unwell, or a particular type of disease.

Examples

• “She was away from work because of illness.”
• “Recovery from the illness took several weeks.”
• “He has never had a serious illness.”

Good to know

a serious illness. due to illness. Recover from an illness. Named condition: disease. UK adjective: ill. US everyday: sick.

Near in meaning

disease

Topics

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