Sick vs. Unwell — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
"Sick" typically refers to being affected by illness or disease, often more seriously or visibly, while "unwell" is a milder, less specific term indicating general poor health.
Difference Between Sick and Unwell
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Key Differences
"Sick" is often used to describe a state where symptoms are more pronounced and can refer to both short-term illnesses, like a cold, and serious conditions. In contrast, "unwell" is usually used for less specific and often less severe symptoms.
In American English, "sick" can also colloquially mean feeling nauseated or being about to vomit, whereas "unwell" does not commonly carry this connotation and generally refers to a broader, vaguer feeling of ill health.
The term "sick" is commonly used in various contexts, from medical to informal settings, indicating a more definite diagnosis or visible signs of illness. On the other hand, "unwell" tends to be used in more formal or polite contexts, often to express concern without specifying details.
"Sick" may carry a stronger emotional impact or urgency, implying a need for immediate care or attention. Meanwhile, describing someone as "unwell" can be a softer, less alarming way to acknowledge their health status without implying a serious condition.
While "sick" is used in expressions like "sick leave" and "sick day," which are widely understood to mean time off due to illness, "unwell" does not have equivalent commonly recognized expressions and is less likely to be used in official documentation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Affected by illness, often visibly or seriously.
Feeling general poor health, less specific and usually milder.
Connotations
Can include nausea; often more serious or urgent.
Generally softer, broader, less specific about symptoms.
Usage Contexts
Medical, informal; used for both mild and severe cases.
More formal, polite; often used to express concern without specifics.
Emotional Impact
Stronger, implies need for care or concern.
Softer, less urgent, used to subtly acknowledge illness.
Common Expressions
"Sick leave," "sick day."
Not typically used in formal expressions or documentation.
Compare with Definitions
Sick
Often used when symptoms are severe or visible.
He was too sick to come to work today.
Unwell
Experiencing a general feeling of ill health.
She felt unwell and decided to rest.
Sick
Affected by a specific illness or disease.
She felt sick with the flu.
Unwell
Rarely implies nausea.
Despite feeling unwell, she attended the meeting.
Sick
Used in contexts needing care or attention.
The sick child required constant monitoring.
Unwell
Indicates a polite or formal expression of health status.
She mentioned that she was feeling a bit unwell.
Sick
Can imply being nauseated.
The rough seas made her feel sick.
Unwell
Not commonly used in formal medical or employment documentation.
She informed her boss that she felt unwell and would work from home.
Sick
Associated with formal health-related leave.
He is on sick leave for a week.
Unwell
Used for conditions that are not specific or severe.
He has been feeling unwell since yesterday.
Sick
Affected by physical or mental illness
Visiting the sick and the elderly
Nursing very sick children
Half my staff were off sick
Unwell
"Unwell" is a song by American alternative rock group Matchbox Twenty. Released on February 3, 2003, as the second single from their third album, More Than You Think You Are (2002), it was written by Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas.
Sick
Feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit
Mark felt sick with fear
He was starting to feel sick
Unwell
Being in poor health; sick.
Sick
Intensely annoyed with or bored by (someone or something) as a result of having had too much of them
I'm absolutely sick of your moods
Unwell
Having a menstrual period.
Sick
Excellent.
Unwell
Not in good health; not feeling well; somewhat ill
Sick
Vomit
She was busy wiping sick from the carpet
Unwell
Specifically, ill from menstruation; affected with, or having, catamenial; menstruant.
Sick
Set a dog on
The plan was to surprise the heck out of the grizzly by sicking the dog on him
Unwell
Not well; indisposed; not in good health; somewhat ill; ailing.
Sick
Suffering from or affected with a physical illness; ailing.
Unwell
Specifically, ill from menstruation; affected with, or having, catamenial; menstruant.
Sick
Of or for sick persons
Sick wards.
Unwell
Undergoing menstruation
Sick
Nauseated.
Unwell
Somewhat ill or prone to illness;
My poor ailing grandmother
Feeling a bit indisposed today
You look a little peaked
Feeling poorly
A sickly child
Is unwell and can't come to work
Sick
Mentally ill or disturbed.
Sick
Unwholesome, morbid, or sadistic
A sick joke.
A sick crime.
Sick
Defective; unsound
A sick economy.
Sick
Deeply distressed; upset
Sick with worry.
Sick
Disgusted; revolted.
Sick
Weary; tired
Sick of it all.
Sick
Pining; longing
Sick for his native land.
Sick
In need of repairs
A sick ship.
Sick
Constituting an unhealthy environment for those working or residing within
A sick office building.
Sick
Unable to produce a profitable yield of crops
Sick soil.
Sick
(Slang) Excellent; outstanding
Did a sick run down the halfpipe.
Sick
Sick people considered as a group. Often used with the.
Sick
Chiefly British Vomit.
Sick
Variant of sic2.
Sick
In poor health; ill.
She was sick all day with the flu.
We have to care for the sick.
Sick
Having an urge to vomit.
Sick
(colloquial) Mentally unstable, disturbed.
Sick
(colloquial) In bad taste.
That's a sick joke.
Sick
Tired of or annoyed by something.
I've heard that song on the radio so many times that I'm starting to get sick of it.
Sick
(slang) Very good, excellent, awesome, badass.
This tune is sick.
Dude, this car's got a sick subwoofer!
Sick
In poor condition.
Sick building syndrome; my car is looking pretty sick; my job prospects are pretty sick
Sick
(agriculture) Failing to sustain adequate harvests of crop, usually specified.
Sick
Vomit.
He lay there in a pool of his own sick.
Sick
(especially in the phrases on the sick and on long-term sick) Any of various current or former benefits or allowances paid by the Government to support the sick, disabled or incapacitated.
Sick
(colloquial) To vomit.
I woke up at 4 am and sicked on the floor.
Sick
To fall sick; to sicken.
Sick
(rare) sic
Sick
Affected with disease of any kind; ill; indisposed; not in health. See the Synonym under Illness.
Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever.
Behold them that are sick with famine.
Sick
Affected with, or attended by, nausea; inclined to vomit; as, sick at the stomach; a sick headache.
Sick
Having a strong dislike; disgusted; surfeited; - with of; as, to be sick of flattery.
He was not so sick of his master as of his work.
Sick
Corrupted; imperfect; impaired; weakned.
So great is his antipathy against episcopacy, that, if a seraphim himself should be a bishop, he would either find or make some sick feathers in his wings.
Sick
Sickness.
Sick
To fall sick; to sicken.
Sick
People who are sick;
They devote their lives to caring for the sick
Sick
Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;
After drinking too much, the students vomited
He purged continuously
The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
Sick
Not in good physical or mental health;
Ill from the monotony of his suffering
Sick
Feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit
Sick
Affected with madness or insanity;
A man who had gone mad
Common Curiosities
What does "sick" mean?
"Sick" means affected by an illness or disease, often with specific or severe symptoms.
Can "sick" and "unwell" be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, "sick" often implies more specific or severe conditions than "unwell."
Does "sick" only apply to physical health?
"Sick" primarily refers to physical health, but it can be used metaphorically in other contexts (e.g., "sick of it").
What does "unwell" mean?
"Unwell" refers to a general state of ill health, usually less specific and milder than "sick."
What are common situations to use "unwell"?
"Unwell" is often used in formal or polite conversations to indicate that someone isn't feeling their best without going into detail.
How do cultural differences affect the use of "sick" and "unwell"?
Cultural differences may influence the preference for using "sick" or "unwell," with "unwell" perhaps being more common in British English.
Is there a difference in severity between being sick and being unwell?
Typically, "sick" can indicate more severe symptoms or conditions, while "unwell" suggests milder symptoms.
When is it more appropriate to describe someone as "unwell"?
"Unwell" is suitable when referring to someone's health in a more formal or less specific context.
Can "unwell" suggest mental health issues?
Yes, "unwell" can be used broadly to include both physical and mental health issues, though it's less specific.
When should I use "sick" over "unwell"?
Use "sick" to describe more definite or serious health issues, especially when symptoms are clear and require specific attention.
How do "sick leave" and "unwell" relate in employment contexts?
"Sick leave" is a formal term used in employment for absences due to illness, whereas "unwell" might be used to describe the reason informally.
Can animals be described as "sick" or "unwell"?
Yes, animals can be described as either "sick" or "unwell," depending on the severity and specificity of their symptoms.
What should I consider when choosing between "sick" and "unwell"?
Consider the severity of the symptoms, the formality of the context, and whether the health issue is specific or general.
Why might someone prefer not to use "sick"?
Someone might avoid "sick" if they want to downplay the seriousness of their condition or keep the details private.
Is it correct to say "I am sick" if I just have a mild headache?
While it's not incorrect, using "unwell" might be more appropriate for milder symptoms like a headache.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
