morbidity

American  

[mawr-bid-i-tee] / mɔrˈbɪd ɪ ti /

noun

1. a morbid state or quality.

2. the proportion of sickness or of a specific disease in a geographical locality.

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morbidity British  

/ mɔːˈbɪdɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being morbid

2. Also: morbidity rate.  the relative incidence of a particular disease in a specific locality

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Usage

What’s the difference between morbidity and mortality? In a medical context, the word morbidity refers to the incidence or prevalence of a disease in a specific population or location (sometimes called the morbidity rate), while the word mortality refers to relative frequency of deaths in a specific population or location (sometimes called the mortality rate). The related word cormorbidity is used in medical contexts to refer to the state of having multiple medical conditions at the same time. In this context, morbidity relates to sickness, while mortality relates to death. Both morbidity and mortality are also used in nontechnical ways. Morbidity is the noun form of the adjective morbid, which most commonly means excessively gloomy or having an unusual interest in dark subjects, like death. Morbidity, then, can be used to refer to the quality of having this interest, as in Her latest novel lacks the morbidity of her earlier works. Mortality, on the other hand, most commonly refers to the state or condition of being subject to death, as in Humans are aware of their own mortality. The opposite of this is immortality—unending life. Here’s an example of morbidity and mortality used correctly in the same sentence. Example: Studies show that while the morbidity in the region remains quite high, the mortality rate from the disease has continued to drop. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between morbidity and mortality.

Etymology

Origin of morbidity

First recorded in 1715–25; morbid + -ity

Explanation

Morbidity is the state or quality of being unhealthful, overly somber, or unwholesomely gloomy. Some opposites of morbidity are cheerfulness and optimism. The word morbidity comes from the word morbid, which means "characteristic of or caused by disease." The morbidity of a disease is the number of cases that occur in a specified population. For example, the morbidity rates for polio plummeted in the 20th century. Morbidity is also a state of mind or a quality that is focused on death, disease, and gloom. The literary works of Edgar Allan Poe are known for their morbidity.

Example Sentences

"My fear is that we won't hear about it until the mortality and the morbidity significantly increases this next year," he added.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

The book is an exploration of memory, love, regret and morbidity by a writer who seems comfortable with the idea of making an exit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Alissa added that the rollback could overwhelm the healthcare systems in Florida financially and health-wise, leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2025

And I’m not comfortable with the amount of morbidity and mortality associated with visceral fat and saying we shouldn’t do something about that.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025

In this, the atmosphere, no matter how coarse, has a verve and an essential joviality that casts out morbidity.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Related Words

• anguish
• bitterness
• despair
• discouragement
• doldrums
• foreboding
• grief
• horror
• malaise
• misery
• pessimism
• sadness
• sorrow
• weariness
• woe