ill

adjective

\ ˈil

worse\ ˈwərs

\; worst\ ˈwərst

Definition of ill

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a comparative also iller; superlative also illest

(1) : not in good health also : nauseated

(2) : not normal or sound ill health

b : causing suffering or distress ill weather

2 : unfriendly, hostile ill feeling

3a : not suited to circumstances or not to one's advantage : unlucky an ill omen

b : involving difficulty : hard

4a : attributing evil or an objectionable quality held an ill opinion of his neighbors

b : resulting from, accompanied by, or indicative of an evil or malevolent intention ill deeds

c chiefly Scotland : immoral, vicious

5a : not meeting an accepted standard ill manners

b archaic : notably unskillful or inefficient

ill

adverb

worse; worst

Definition of ill (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : in a faulty, inefficient, insufficient, or unpleasant manner —often used in combination the methods used may be ill-adapted to the aims in view— R. M. Hutchins

b : in an unfortunate manner : badly, unluckily ill fares the land … where wealth accumulates, and men decay— Oliver Goldsmith

2 : hardly, scarcely can ill afford such extravagances

3a : so as to reflect unfavorably spoke ill of the neighbors

b : with displeasure or hostility

c : in a harsh manner

4 : in a reprehensible manner

ill

noun

Definition of ill (Entry 3 of 6)

1a : misfortune, distress

b(1) : ailment, sickness

(2) : something that disturbs or afflicts : trouble economic and social ills

2 : something that reflects unfavorably spoke no ill of him

3 : the reverse of good : evil

ill

abbreviation (1)

Definition of ill (Entry 4 of 6)

illustrated; illustration; illustrator

Ill

abbreviation (2)

Definition of Ill (Entry 5 of 6)

Illinois

Ill

geographical name

\ ˈēl

Definition of Ill (Entry 6 of 6)

river 129 miles (208 kilometers) long in northeastern France flowing into the Rhine River

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ill

Keep scrolling for more

ill

Definition of ill

Synonyms & Antonyms for ill

WORD OF THE DAY