What is ill? Pronunciation and usage in English

ill means . Learn how to pronounce and use ill through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ill

illadjective

/ɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of ill

The pronunciation of "ill" in English depends slightly on where you are and what dialect you're hearing, but here's the breakdown:

Most Common Pronunciation (General American):

  • ˈɪl (pronounced like "il" as in "hill" but without the "h")
    • The first syllable ("i") is a short, open "i" sound, like in "bit."
    • The second syllable ("l") is a simple "l" sound.

Other Dialects:

  • British English: Often pronounced as ˈɪl (same as above). However, you might also hear ˈɪl (like "eel") in some regional accents, particularly in the West Country.
  • Southern American English: Can sometimes be pronounced ˈɪl (like "eel").

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • "i" sound: Think of the "i" in "bit" or "sit." It's a short, quick sound.
  • "l" sound: A standard "l" sound, made by touching the tip of your tongue to the ridge behind your top teeth.

Resources to hear the pronunciation:

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Usage and examples with the word ill in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ill" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As an Adjective – Meaning Sick:

  • Most Common Use: This is by far the most frequent way "ill" is used. It describes someone who is not well, feeling sick, or suffering from an illness.
    • Examples:
      • "I feel ill today." (I'm not feeling well.)
      • "She’s been ill with a cold for a week." (She's been sick with a cold.)
      • “He's ill in bed.” (He’s sick and in bed.)
      • "The patient is ill and needs immediate care." (The patient is sick and needs urgent care.)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning Poorly (Describing a Condition):

  • “Ill” can also describe a condition other than a sickness. It can imply something is lacking or not performing properly.
    • Examples:
      • "The engine sounded ill." (The engine sounded rough or was malfunctioning.)
      • "The project is going ill." (The project is not progressing well; it’s failing.)
      • "The harvest was ill this year." (The harvest was poor.)

3. As a Verb – Meaning To Suffer from Illness:

  • “Ill” can be used as a verb, describing the act of being sick.
    • Examples:
      • "I am ill with the flu." (I’m suffering from the flu.)
      • "He was ill for several days." (He was sick for several days.)
      • "The patient illed with pneumonia.” (The patient was suffering from pneumonia.)

4. Phrases Using "Ill":

  • "Not well": A shortened version of “not feeling well.” “I’m not well, thank you.”
  • "Under the weather": This is an idiom meaning to be slightly unwell – not seriously ill, but not feeling at your best. “I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
  • "Ill in bed": Specifically indicating that someone is sick and confined to bed.
  • "Ill at ease": Feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, often due to a worry or anxiety.

5. Grammatical Notes:

  • Comparative & Superlative: You can form comparatives and superlatives, but it’s less common and often sounds a bit awkward. It implies a degree of illness.
    • “He’s less ill than he was yesterday.” (He's not as sick as he was yesterday.)
    • “She’s the illest patient in the ward.” (She’s the sickest patient in the ward - this is somewhat formal and emphatic.)

Here's a quick table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Sick “I feel ill.”
Adjective Poorly, not performing well “The machine is ill.”
Verb To suffer from illness “He is ill with a fever.”
Phrase Slightly unwell “I’m feeling under the weather.”

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Synonyms for the word ill

Idioms of the word ill

bad/ill feeling
anger between people, especially after an argument
  • There was a lot of bad feeling between the two groups of students.
  • I don't want any bad feelings between us.
ill at ease
feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed
  • I felt ill at ease in such formal clothes.
ill/bad feeling
anger between people, especially after an argument
  • There was a lot of ill feeling between the two groups of students.
  • I don't want any ill feelings between us.
it’s an ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
(saying)no problem is so bad that it does not bring some advantage to somebody

    Practice with vocabulary ill

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Due to a sudden fever, the speaker felt too _____ to deliver the keynote address.
    2. The committee noted the _____ effects of the rushed policy implementation on staff morale.
    3. After working overtime for several weeks, Sarah felt completely _____ and needed a break.
    4. The initial project proposal was deemed _____ and required significant revisions before approval.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. If you're feeling _____, it's best to stay home and avoid spreading germs. A) robust B) ill C) healthy D) unwell E) vigorous

    2. The report highlighted the _____-fated decision to launch the product without adequate market research. A) fortunate B) ill C) successful D) well-timed E) unfortunate

    3. He recovered from his prolonged _____ and returned to work after a month. A) health B) wellness C) illness D) strength E) infirmity

    4. The team performed _____ during the last quarter, missing all their targets. A) adequately B) poorly C) splendidly D) competently E) excellently

    5. Lack of sleep can have _____ effects on cognitive function. A) beneficial B) positive C) detrimental D) advantageous E) constructive

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. It was a very bad idea to invest all our savings in that volatile stock. (Rewrite using "ill" or a related word form.)
    2. He was feeling unwell and had to leave the meeting early. (Rewrite using "ill" or a related word form.)
    3. The working conditions at the factory were extremely poor, leading to low morale. (Rewrite, replacing "poor" with a suitable word other than "ill".)

    Answer:

    Exercise 1:

    1. ill
    2. ill
    3. exhausted
    4. inadequate

    Exercise 2:

    1. B) ill, D) unwell
    2. B) ill, E) unfortunate
    3. C) illness, E) infirmity
    4. B) poorly
    5. C) detrimental

    Exercise 3:

    1. It was an ill-advised decision to invest all our savings in that volatile stock.
    2. He was feeling ill and had to leave the meeting early.
    3. The working conditions at the factory were extremely substandard, leading to low morale.

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