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.
“You actually get picture-frame views from every aspect of the east side of the home,” says Coleman, adding that this can also be seen from the entryway, home theater, wellness center, and backyard.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
A neighbor had called in a wellness check.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
But they shouldn’t be hailed as peak snacking — or ultimate wellness.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
Most of this legislation focuses on creating a digital wellness program—where kids are taught about healthy phone use, digital literacy, and the influence of algorithms and A.I.
From Slate • May 12, 2026
Nathan remembered what Devin had said: that the ceremony was only part of Uncle Jet’s path to 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.
