seasick

American  

[see-sik] / ˈsiˌsɪk /

adjective

1. afflicted with seasickness.

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seasick British  

/ ˈsiːˌsɪk /

adjective

1. suffering from nausea and dizziness caused by the motion of a ship at sea

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Other Word Forms

• seasickness noun

Etymology

Origin of seasick

First recorded in 1560–70; sea + sick ¹

Explanation

If you're seasick, you feel unwell because of the rocking motion a boat or ship makes as it travels on the water. A chronically seasick ship's captain might have to look for a new job. Some people become nauseated and dizzy even when they're briefly on a boat — these are the easily seasick travelers. Others are normally fine traveling by boat but become seasick during storms, when the vessel is tossed around on the waves. If the sensation of movement tends to make you seasick, you may be affected by long car trips and airplane flights as well.

Example Sentences

The second round trip took place in seas so high that all 40 Rongelapese passengers got seasick, covering the decks with vomit.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

The Rams, meanwhile, have been so up and down that their fans are seasick.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2024

Darwin was so seasick at the start of his five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle that the captain expected him to jump ship back to England as soon as they touched land.

From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2024

"He used to get seasick, and he was a bit stressed to start off with... but now he's fine. He quite enjoys life," Mr Williams said.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2023

For a moment Fadi felt queasy, a little seasick.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai