sickness

American  

[sik-nis] / ˈsɪk nɪs /

noun

1. a particular disease or malady.

2. the state or an instance of being sick; illness.

3. nausea; queasiness.

---

sickness British  

/ ˈsɪknɪs /

noun

1. an illness or disease

2. nausea or queasiness

3. the state or an instance of being sick

---

Etymology

Origin of sickness

before 1000; Middle English siknesse, seknesse, Old English sēocnesse. See sick ¹, -ness

Compare meaning

How does sickness compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sickness vs. illness

Example Sentences

The worry went from my head and sunk down to my chest and settled to a sickness in my stomach.

From Literature

And she added: "If we're serious about moving from sickness to prevention, expanded treatment must go alongside stronger action to improve the food environment and prevent obesity in the first place."

From BBC

Such policies will inevitably lead to sickness and deaths.

From Salon

A side who once suffered with travel sickness have now defeated Qarabag, Aston Villa and Spurs on the road in little more than a week.

From BBC

The proposals form part of the government's 10-year health plan to shift the focus from sickness to prevention, as well as reduce the pressures on the NHS.

From BBC

Related Words

• ailment
• disease
• disorder
• ill health
• illness
• infirmity
• malady
• nausea
• syndrome