What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ill
Example
She was feeling ill after eating the spoiled food. [ill: adjective]
Example
He called in sick to work because he was feeling ill. [sick: adjective]
sick
Example
The child was sick with the flu and had to stay home from school. [sick: adjective]
Example
She felt sick to her stomach after eating the spicy food. [sick: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sick is more commonly used than ill in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ill and sick?
Ill is generally considered more formal or medical than sick, which is often used in casual or informal contexts.
