unwell
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of unwell
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at un- 1, well 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
People feel emotionally unwell and exhausted because they know that something is deeply wrong with their society and politics.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
Bill says his son clearly still appeared to be unwell, so when they arrived home, he rang the ward to ask why his son had been released.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
This rule almost certainly makes passengers much less likely to see a doctor unless they’re feeling very unwell.
From Slate • May 16, 2026
Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of meningitis or sepsis should seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
I’d taken a day off from visiting Augustus because I was feeling a bit unwell myself: nothing specific, just tired.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
