English · Body & Health
illness
/ˈɪl.nəs/
[/ˈɪl.nəs/]
state of being unwell
Beginnernoun
Definition
A condition of being physically or mentally unwell; a disease or sickness.
Example
She took several days off work to recover from a sudden, mild illness.
She took several days off work to recover from a sudden, mild illness.
Etymology
From 'ill' (Old Norse 'illr', bad) plus '-ness'.
How & Where It’s Used
Often interchangeable with 'sickness'; slightly less formal than 'disease'.