wellness

American  

[wel-nis] / ˈwɛl nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.

2. an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.

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wellness British  

/ ˈwɛlnəs /

noun

1. the state of being in good physical and mental health

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Etymology

Origin of wellness

First recorded in 1650–60, for an earlier sense; introduced in 1957 by U.S. biostatistician Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. (1896–1975), for the current senses; well ¹ (in the sense “in good health”) + -ness

Compare meaning

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

• wellness vs. well-being

Example Sentences

Bud signs up for church wellness counseling and immediately falls in love with his mousy group leader.

From The Wall Street Journal

Means is best known as a wellness influencer, author and entrepreneur, as well as running a company that sells glucose monitoring systems.

From Salon

Church, who runs a wellness retreat in the Nant Caethon Valley in Powys, said her it had been a "journey" since her father's terminal diagnosis nearly a decade ago.

From BBC

Administrators across the eight campuses said the program fostered additional wellness spaces, community partnerships and peer counseling courses.

From Los Angeles Times

The NBA and Sands China Limited will also host youth clinics, a fan area and social impact programs on health, wellness and sustainability.

From Barron's