The difference between sick and ill [duplicate]
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This question already has an answer here:
Is there any difference between being ill and sick?
7 answers
I feel ill or sick. Both mean the same. But when they modify a noun, do they mean the same? For example,
Sentence A: He is a sick person.
Sentence B: He is an ill person.
Do they mean the same?
I want to know the difference because 'ill' can mean 'bad' in some senses.
usage
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
marked as duplicate by ColleenV♦ Jan 18 at 11:34
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
Is there any difference between being ill and sick?
7 answers
I feel ill or sick. Both mean the same. But when they modify a noun, do they mean the same? For example,
Sentence A: He is a sick person.
Sentence B: He is an ill person.
Do they mean the same?
I want to know the difference because 'ill' can mean 'bad' in some senses.
usage
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
marked as duplicate by ColleenV♦ Jan 18 at 11:34
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
This question already has an answer here:
Is there any difference between being ill and sick?
7 answers
I feel ill or sick. Both mean the same. But when they modify a noun, do they mean the same? For example,
Sentence A: He is a sick person.
Sentence B: He is an ill person.
Do they mean the same?
I want to know the difference because 'ill' can mean 'bad' in some senses.
usage
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
This question already has an answer here:
Is there any difference between being ill and sick?
7 answers
I feel ill or sick. Both mean the same. But when they modify a noun, do they mean the same? For example,
Sentence A: He is a sick person.
Sentence B: He is an ill person.
Do they mean the same?
I want to know the difference because 'ill' can mean 'bad' in some senses.
This question already has an answer here:
Is there any difference between being ill and sick?
7 answers
usage
usage
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
asked Jan 18 at 4:06
Little PapaLittle Papa
405
405
marked as duplicate by ColleenV♦ Jan 18 at 11:34
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by ColleenV♦ Jan 18 at 11:34
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
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oldest
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As you've already said, ill can mean bad in some senses. But so can sick. In fact, sick is the more common word if you want to describe somebody in the bad sense. (However, sick can also be used as a slang term for cool or awesome.)
Context determines the meaning:
That serial killer is one sick individual.
Ill intentions often result in ill deeds.
If you mean physically unwell, neither of your sentences would be normal. By adding person, you are implying the bad sense.
The best way to describe someone who is unwell, and have it be interpreted as you want, is to add the word feeling:
He is feeling sick.
He is feeling ill.
Or:
He isn't feeling well.
It's also common to say (in informal dialogue):
"He isn't feeling good."
In terms of describing being physically unwell, sick and ill are mostly used interchangeably.
But per Google Books NGram Viewer, sick seems to be the more common of the two words.
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
As you've already said, ill can mean bad in some senses. But so can sick. In fact, sick is the more common word if you want to describe somebody in the bad sense. (However, sick can also be used as a slang term for cool or awesome.)
Context determines the meaning:
That serial killer is one sick individual.
Ill intentions often result in ill deeds.
If you mean physically unwell, neither of your sentences would be normal. By adding person, you are implying the bad sense.
The best way to describe someone who is unwell, and have it be interpreted as you want, is to add the word feeling:
He is feeling sick.
He is feeling ill.
Or:
He isn't feeling well.
It's also common to say (in informal dialogue):
"He isn't feeling good."
In terms of describing being physically unwell, sick and ill are mostly used interchangeably.
But per Google Books NGram Viewer, sick seems to be the more common of the two words.
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
add a comment |
As you've already said, ill can mean bad in some senses. But so can sick. In fact, sick is the more common word if you want to describe somebody in the bad sense. (However, sick can also be used as a slang term for cool or awesome.)
Context determines the meaning:
That serial killer is one sick individual.
Ill intentions often result in ill deeds.
If you mean physically unwell, neither of your sentences would be normal. By adding person, you are implying the bad sense.
The best way to describe someone who is unwell, and have it be interpreted as you want, is to add the word feeling:
He is feeling sick.
He is feeling ill.
Or:
He isn't feeling well.
It's also common to say (in informal dialogue):
"He isn't feeling good."
In terms of describing being physically unwell, sick and ill are mostly used interchangeably.
But per Google Books NGram Viewer, sick seems to be the more common of the two words.
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
add a comment |
As you've already said, ill can mean bad in some senses. But so can sick. In fact, sick is the more common word if you want to describe somebody in the bad sense. (However, sick can also be used as a slang term for cool or awesome.)
Context determines the meaning:
That serial killer is one sick individual.
Ill intentions often result in ill deeds.
If you mean physically unwell, neither of your sentences would be normal. By adding person, you are implying the bad sense.
The best way to describe someone who is unwell, and have it be interpreted as you want, is to add the word feeling:
He is feeling sick.
He is feeling ill.
Or:
He isn't feeling well.
It's also common to say (in informal dialogue):
"He isn't feeling good."
In terms of describing being physically unwell, sick and ill are mostly used interchangeably.
But per Google Books NGram Viewer, sick seems to be the more common of the two words.
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
As you've already said, ill can mean bad in some senses. But so can sick. In fact, sick is the more common word if you want to describe somebody in the bad sense. (However, sick can also be used as a slang term for cool or awesome.)
Context determines the meaning:
That serial killer is one sick individual.
Ill intentions often result in ill deeds.
If you mean physically unwell, neither of your sentences would be normal. By adding person, you are implying the bad sense.
The best way to describe someone who is unwell, and have it be interpreted as you want, is to add the word feeling:
He is feeling sick.
He is feeling ill.
Or:
He isn't feeling well.
It's also common to say (in informal dialogue):
"He isn't feeling good."
In terms of describing being physically unwell, sick and ill are mostly used interchangeably.
But per Google Books NGram Viewer, sick seems to be the more common of the two words.
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
answered Jan 18 at 4:29
Jason BassfordJason Bassford
14.4k22137
14.4k22137
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
add a comment |
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
1
1
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Also, in a slang context, I've heard "ill" as a more positive adjective (Beastie Boys song "Time to Get Ill"). "Sick" can be used in the same way.
– user45266
Jan 18 at 4:51
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
Thank you very much, @Jason Bassford. I can now understand from your explanation that the meaning has to be deduced from context rather than words themselves.
– Little Papa
Jan 18 at 5:11
3
3
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
In British English, to 'be sick' commonly means to vomit, and what is produced can be called 'sick' (mass noun). Child: what's for dinner, Daddy? Father, jocularly: a cup of cold sick!
– Michael Harvey
Jan 18 at 7:56
3
3
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
It's even more confusing than that: ‘to feel ill’ and ‘to feel sick’ can both refer either to general illness or to nausea, too. Similarly, some people use ‘to be ill’ to refer to vomiting, in the same way I'd say ‘to be sick’. So there's a shedload of ambiguity there.
– gidds
Jan 18 at 9:28
2
2
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
Although "ill" can mean bad in some situations (such as your examples), I think it's important to note that "He is ill" unambiguously means "He is not healthy".
– David Richerby
Jan 18 at 10:57
add a comment |