What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ill
Example
She felt ill after eating the spoiled food. [ill: adjective]
Example
He has been ill for weeks and needs to see a doctor. [ill: noun]
unwell
Example
I'm feeling unwell today, so I won't be able to come to work. [unwell: adjective]
Example
She was advised to take a few days off to recover from her unwell condition. [unwell: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ill is more common than unwell in everyday language and is used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ill and unwell?
Ill is more formal than unwell and is often used in professional or medical settings.
