valetudinarian

American  

[val-i-tood-n-air-ee-uhn, -tyood-] / ˌvæl ɪˌtud nˈɛər i ən, -ˌtyud- /

noun

1. an invalid.

2. a person who is excessively concerned about their own poor health or ailments.

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adjective

1. in poor health; sickly; invalid.

2. excessively concerned about one's poor health or ailments.

3. of, relating to, or characterized by invalidism.

valetudinarian British  

/ ˌvælɪˈtjuːdɪnərɪ, ˌvælɪˌtjuːdɪˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who is or believes himself to be chronically sick; invalid

2. a person excessively worried about the state of his health; hypochondriac

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adjective

1. relating to, marked by, or resulting from poor health

2. being a valetudinarian

3. trying to return to a healthy state

Other Word Forms

• valetudinarianism noun

Etymology

Origin of valetudinarian

First recorded in 1695–1705; valetudinary + -an

Example Sentences

“There’s a class-based idea that anything too valetudinarian, too conspicuously hygienic, is middle-class,” he said, using a long word for being unduly anxious about one’s health.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2020

Paranoid about his health, this classic valetudinarian is really scared of dying alone and unloved.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2016

With the air of an unwilling valetudinarian, Michigan's handsome, boot-jawed Governor Kim Sigler got up to speak before the Economics Club of Detroit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Up to now Mr. Law has supported his valetudinarian existence with calm resignation.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Is Round gone, then?” asked Mr. Burr, a young man who had left the room soon after he came in, having been annoyed with his valetudinarian twaddle.

From Talkers With Illustrations by Bate, John