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English Lexicon

Ill

/ɪl/
adjectivenounadverbCEFR A2 (Elementary)Top #1450 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Not in good health; sick or unwell.

    "He had to leave work early because he felt ill."
As noun
  1. 1

    Harm, evil, or distress.

    "They wished no ill upon their neighbors."
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Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from Old Norse 'illr', meaning bad, difficult, or evil, which entered Middle English around the 12th century. Over centuries, the primary meaning shifted from general wickedness or misfortune primarily to physical or mental sickness in standard English usage.

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