sickly

American  

[sik-lee] / ˈsɪk li /

adjective

sicklier, sickliest

1. not strong; unhealthy; ailing.

   Synonyms:

   infirm, feeble, sick, puny, weak, frail

2. of, connected with, or arising from ill health.

   a sickly complexion.

3. marked by the prevalence of ill health, as a region.

   the epidemic left the town sickly.

4. causing sickness.

5. nauseating.

6. maudlin and insipid; mawkish.

   sickly sentimentality.

7. faint or feeble, as light or color.

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adverb

1. in a sick or sickly manner.

verb (used with object)

sicklied, sicklying

1. to cover with a sickly hue.

sickly British  

/ ˈsɪklɪ /

adjective

1. disposed to frequent ailments; not healthy; weak

2. of, relating to, or caused by sickness

3. (of a smell, taste, etc) causing revulsion or nausea

4. (of light or colour) faint or feeble

5. mawkish; insipid

   sickly affectation

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adverb

1. in a sick or sickly manner

Other Word Forms

• sickliness noun

Etymology

Origin of sickly

1300–50; Middle English siklich, sekly (adj.). See sick ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

But the team doesn’t just apply a flattering touch-up to sickly markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

He did his best to amputate above the sickly parts in the hope of saving the patient’s life.

From The Wall Street Journal

In spite of Mama’s good care I was a sickly child and always small for my age.

From Literature

I extend my palm to catch the sickly overhead light.

From Literature

“He looks weak as a sickly lamb,” I observed, folding and refolding my napkin and pretending to be absorbed in my place setting.

From Literature

Related Words

• ailing
• cranky
• feeble
• infirm
• lackluster