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

I’m hoping that his loss helps to energize our communities to focus on wellness and health in light of the stress that comes with being a Black man in America.

From Salon

"If there's nothing to report, nobody's going to watch after a while," content creator Melinda Long, a health and wellness influencer from Long Island, New York, told the BBC.

From BBC

The group now has more than 100 members who regularly meet for walks and wellness retreats.

From BBC

Sleep enhancing snack foods like Alice Mushrooms' Nightcap chocolate are part of a new category of products that combine the wellness claims of health supplements, with the format of a treat.

From BBC

In addition to focusing on its flagship Pepsi brand, the company has innovated in various ways as consumers become more interested in health and wellness.

From Barron's