Ill Meaning
Ill Definition & Usage
Suffering from poor health or physical discomfort.
Examples
- "She felt ill after the long flight and needed to rest."
- "He called in sick because he was feeling ill."
- "Many people were ill during the flu season last year."
- "The child looked pale and ill after the vaccination."
- "I think I might be coming down with something; I feel really ill."
Bad, harmful, or morally wrong.
Examples
- "His ill behavior made it difficult for anyone to trust him."
- "She was punished for her ill conduct at school."
- "The company faced backlash due to its ill treatment of workers."
- "He made an ill decision by investing in that company."
- "They took ill actions to disrupt the peace during the protest."
Unfavorable or suboptimal in appearance, performance, or condition.
Examples
- "The economy is in an ill state, with rising unemployment and inflation."
- "The car’s engine made an ill sound before it broke down."
- "The team’s ill performance in the final match cost them the championship."
- "The patient's ill appearance concerned the doctors."
- "The company's ill reputation made investors wary."
Cultural Context
The word 'ill' has roots in Old English, originally meaning 'bad' or 'evil'. Over time, its meaning expanded to include physical illness and discomfort. In modern usage, it covers both health-related issues and negative moral or social situations.
The Ill Decision
Story
The Ill Decision
Sarah had always prided herself on her punctuality at work. However, one rainy morning, she woke up feeling ill. The symptoms were mild—slight dizziness, a stuffy nose, and a headache—but she thought it was just a passing cold. She decided to push through it, thinking she could make it through the day. As she arrived at the office, she noticed how unusually quiet it was. The air was heavy with tension, a result of the recent announcement about the company's financial troubles. Despite the discomfort she felt, Sarah continued with her usual routine. But after an ill-advised decision to take on a huge project in her already-packed schedule, she began to feel worse. Her vision blurred, and she had to call it a day early. As she walked home, she couldn't help but think about the ill state of her health and the work pressure that had driven her to ignore it. That evening, as she rested in bed, she realized her 'illness' wasn't just physical. It was a reminder that sometimes, we neglect ourselves for the sake of responsibilities and performance. A lesson learned the hard way, Sarah promised to prioritize her well-being next time, before making another ill decision.