healthy

[hel-thee]

adjective

healthier, healthiest 

1. possessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality.

   a healthy body;

   a healthy mind.

   Synonyms: robust, hearty, hale
   Antonyms: sick

2. pertaining to or characteristic of good health or a sound and vigorous mind.

   a healthy appearance;

   healthy attitudes.

3. conducive to good health; healthful.

   healthy recreations.

   Synonyms: nourishing, nutritious

4. eligible for the Food and Drug Administration's label certifying that a food is suitable for helping consumers achieve a total diet that conforms to dietary recommendations.

5. prosperous or sound.

   a healthy business.

6. Informal.,  fairly large.

   I bought a healthy number of books.

healthy

/ ˈhɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. enjoying good health

2. functioning well or being sound

   the company's finances are not very healthy

3. conducive to health; salutary

4. indicating soundness of body or mind

   a healthy appetite

5. informal,  considerable in size or amount

   a healthy sum

Other Word Forms

• healthily adverb
• healthiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of healthy¹

First recorded in 1545–55; health + -y ¹

Synonym Study

Healthy, healthful, salubrious, salutary, wholesome refer to the promotion of health. Healthy, while applied especially to what possesses health, is also applicable to what is conducive to health: a healthy climate; not a healthy place to be. Healthful and salubrious are applied chiefly to what is conducive to health: healthful diet or exercise; a salubrious impact on mental outlook. Salutary suggests something that is conducive to well-being generally, as well as beneficial in preserving or in restoring health: salutary effects; to take salutary measures. It is used also to indicate moral benefit: to have a salutary fear of devious behavior. Wholesome has connotations of attractive freshness and purity; it applies to what is good for one, physically, morally, or both: wholesome food; wholesome influences or advice.

Example Sentences

She said she tries to keep healthy, and self-medicate with cranberry juice and vitamins, but often needs medication to get better.

From BBC

Texans are healthier and that makes the difference.

From Los Angeles Times

Not long before our latest visit, Nour gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

From BBC

Kleber, who missed almost all of last season with a foot injury after being traded to the Lakers in February, said at media day he was entering the season fully healthy.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, these oils contain a low amount - 5-10% - of unhealthy saturated fats and are high in healthier mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

From BBC

Related Words

• active 
• athletic 
• fresh 
• healthful 
• hearty 
• lively 
• normal 
• robust 
• strong 
• tough 
• vigorous