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
Compare meaning
How does wellness compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Inside L.A.’s new wellness trend of super restful sound baths, where the beds are plush and the snoring is a compliment.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
“A dedicated gym and wellness area, private studio/office, theater room, and an outdoor kitchen with a fire pit complete this residence, a true celebration of refined, tranquil living in an extraordinary setting,” the listing adds.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
Injectable peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 are all the rage in Los Angeles and other places where wellness is an increasing focus.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
This epistemic shift has birthed a lucrative wellness industry, featuring all manner of advice, concerns, and devices, where a frightening sales pitch or emotional story takes the place of scientific consensus.
From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026
Like Devin said, the N’daa was the first step toward his wellness.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Definitions 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.
