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.
Adjusted operating income in its pharmacy and consumer wellness segment, however, climbed over 10% to $1.6 billion, primarily driven by core pharmacy strength and contributions from its Rite Aid asset acquisitions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage, while fiber contributes to healthy digestion and may help with blood sugar regulation, weight management, and cardiovascular wellness.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026
But now unregulated peptides have exploded onto the wellness market since GLP-1s, weight loss drugs, became mainstream.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
But they still remain popular among Americans, particularly those who are interested in fitness and wellness.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 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
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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.
