1 ill
Pronounced:
/ˈɪl/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
1 a : not well or healthy : sick or unhealthy ▪ a chronically/critically/terminally ill patient ▪ mentally ill adults —usually used after a verb ▪ I felt ill [=sick] all afternoon. ▪ What's wrong? You look ill. ▪ He had been ill for several years. ▪ More than half of those exposed to the virus eventually become ill. ▪ She suddenly fell ill. = She was suddenly taken ill. = (US) She suddenly took ill. ▪ (US) The sight made her physically ill. [=the sight made her nauseated] ▪ (US) He became violently ill. [=he vomited] ◊The comparative form iller and the superlative form illest are sometimes used for this sense. ▪ I have never seen him looking iller. [=worse, (US) sicker] ▪ That's the illest [=worst, (US) sickest] I have ever seen him. b of health : not normal or good ▪ Her ill [=poor] health forced her to retire early.
2 always used before a noun : harmful or damaging ▪ That dog can eat almost anything with no ill effects. ▪ They had been subjected to months of ill treatment.
3 always used before a noun : not helpful or lucky ▪ They seem to be plagued by ill [=bad] luck/fortune. ▪ an ill omen ◊The saying it's an ill wind that blows no good or it's an ill wind that blows nobody (any) good means that something that is bad in most ways is usually also good in some way.
4 always used before a noun : not kind or friendly ▪ an angry customer's ill humor/temper ▪ We harbor no ill intentions toward them. ▪ Her comment caused some ill feeling/feelings. [=feelings of anger or resentment] —see also ill will
2 always used before a noun : harmful or damaging ▪ That dog can eat almost anything with no ill effects. ▪ They had been subjected to months of ill treatment.
3 always used before a noun : not helpful or lucky ▪ They seem to be plagued by ill [=bad] luck/fortune. ▪ an ill omen ◊The saying it's an ill wind that blows no good or it's an ill wind that blows nobody (any) good means that something that is bad in most ways is usually also good in some way.
4 always used before a noun : not kind or friendly ▪ an angry customer's ill humor/temper ▪ We harbor no ill intentions toward them. ▪ Her comment caused some ill feeling/feelings. [=feelings of anger or resentment] —see also ill will
ill repute —see repute
with ill grace —see 1grace