wellness
Americannoun
-
the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.
-
an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life, as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.
noun
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
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Explanation
Wellness is the opposite of illness. When you're healthy and not suffering from any diseases, you're enjoying a state of wellness. It might seem like the phrase "health and wellness" is a little repetitive, but the two terms have increasingly distinct meanings. Since the middle of the 20th century, wellness has become the popular term, especially in alternative medicine, to describe health that includes a balance of body, mind, and spirit.
Vocabulary lists containing wellness
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The Suffix -ness, Part 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Charlotte Church will "pause" her wellness retreat from December to "germinate new dreams for the future", the star has shared.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
"You might know someone who stays cool under pressure," said Lina Begdache, an associate professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University and lead author of the research.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026
Preventative health has had a major boom over the past few years, and it’s become a primary focus for plenty of tech executives who move into the health and wellness space.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
While it did not provide a reason for its closure on social media, city records show its closure is clearing the way for a private members club with wellness amenities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
Like Devin said, the N’daa was the first step toward his wellness.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
