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.

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sickness British  

/ ˈsɪknɪs /

noun

1. an illness or disease

2. nausea or queasiness

3. the state or an instance of being sick

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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

He said a potential workforce may not be easy to find because of prolonged economic inactivity and sickness.

From BBC

In one striking case, a ground squirrel bone from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, dated to about 1.8 million years ago, showed evidence of infection by the parasite that causes sleeping sickness in humans.

From Science Daily

Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ shares rose 32% after the FDA approved Nereus, its motion sickness treatment, which will compete with Dramamine.

From Barron's

The intense morning sickness she endured during the pregnancy had eroded the enamel on her teeth.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both men felt they had been brought closer by the ceremony, especially by the promises they made to look after one another in times of sickness.

From BBC

Related Words

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