What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sickly
Example
She looked sickly and pale after being sick for a week. [sickly: adjective]
Example
The sickly smell of rotten eggs filled the room. [sickly: adjective]
unhealthy
Example
Eating fast food every day is unhealthy. [unhealthy: adjective]
Example
The air in the city is unhealthy due to pollution. [unhealthy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unhealthy is more commonly used than sickly in everyday language. Unhealthy is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts related to health, while sickly is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sickly and unhealthy?
Both sickly and unhealthy can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but unhealthy is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.
