ill

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about ill

ill at ease, socially uncomfortable; nervous: They were ill at ease because they didn't speak the language.

Origin of ill

1150–1200; Middle English ill(e) (noun and adj.) <Old Norse illr (adj.) ill, bad

synonym study for ill

1. Ill, sick mean being in bad health, not being well. Ill is the more formal word. In the U.S. the two words are used practically interchangeably except that sick is always used when the word modifies the following noun: He looks sick ( ill ); a sick person. In England, sick is not interchangeable with ill, but usually has the connotation of nauseous: She got sick and threw up. sick, however, is used before nouns just as in the U.S.: a sick man.

grammar notes for ill

See well¹.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ill

ill , sick (see synonym study at the current entry)

Other definitions for ill (2 of 4)

I'll

[ ahyl ]

/ aɪl /

contraction of I will.

usage note for I'll

See contraction.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH I'll

aisle, I'll , isle

Other definitions for ill (3 of 4)

ill.

abbreviation

illustrated.

illustration.

illustrator.

most illustrious.

Origin of ill.

(def. 4) <Latin illustrissimus

Other definitions for ill (4 of 4)

Ill.

abbreviation

Illinois.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ill in a sentence

“EOTS is a poster child for one of the ills of the acquisition process,” the official said.
Newest U.S. Stealth Fighter ‘10 Years Behind’ Older Jets|Dave Majumdar|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Writ in its history are all the ills and passions of the past century.
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those were the very ills that you wanted to defeat, not help sustain.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can!|Maajid Nawaz|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The character-building cornerstone of American life has lately come under fire for ills ranging from racism to concussions.
Has Football Jumped the Shark?|Kevin Canfield|September 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Kremlin television began airing documentaries blaming sites like VK for all manner of societal ills.
Moscow’s War on Social Media Claims a New Casualty|Jacob Siegel|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nature, ever buoyant and imperative, does her best to remedy the ills created by "Man's inhumanity to Man."
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
To bear the ills and the wrongs of this life more patiently, in the hope of a future reward?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Her spirit had apparently achieved a perfect victory over all earthly ills.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
In the blue cups of their blossoms the world quaffed oblivion of the ills of life.
Child Life In Town And Country|Anatole France
Great trouble, the necessity of working, physical ills, have interfered with my proceedings.
Charles Baudelaire, His Life|Thophile Gautier

British Dictionary definitions for ill (1 of 3)

ill

/ (ɪl) /

adjective worse or worst

(usually postpositive) not in good health; sick

characterized by or intending evil, harm, etc; hostileill deeds

causing or resulting in pain, harm, adversity, etcill effects

ascribing or imputing evil to something referred toill repute

promising an unfavourable outcome; unpropitiousan ill omen

harsh; lacking kindnessill will

not up to an acceptable standard; faultyill manners

ill at ease unable to relax; uncomfortable

noun

evil or harmto wish a person ill

a mild disease

misfortune; trouble

adverb

badlythe title ill befits him

with difficulty; hardlyhe can ill afford the money

not rightlyshe ill deserves such good fortune

Word Origin for ill

C11 (in the sense: evil): from Old Norse illr bad

British Dictionary definitions for ill (2 of 3)

I'll

/ (aɪl) /

contraction of

I will or I shall

British Dictionary definitions for ill (3 of 3)

Ill.

abbreviation for

Illinois

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with ill

ill

In addition to the idioms beginning with ill

ill at ease
ill wind that blows no one any good, it's an

, also see under

get sick