Word of the Day: Sick
Use the word “sick” to talk about an illness, whether the illness is severe or mild:
- Diego is staying home today because he’s sick.
- Darnesha looks like she’s sick.
- Edwin was sick for a long time, but then he recovered.
- Theresa got sick from too much exposure to radiation.
- Don’t eat that. It will make you sick.
- I think I’m getting sick.
Sometimes we use the word “sick” with the verbs “be” or “get” to indicate that a person has vomited or thrown up:
- Oscar got sick while riding on a boat.
- Rachel got sick last night at a party.
- I think I’m going to be sick.
- Someone got sick all over the bathroom floor.
- If you think you’re going to be sick, don’t go to school today.
The word “sicken” is a verb:
- Several children were sickened by a virus. (This sentence is in the passive voice.)
- The chicken was contaminated with salmonella and sickened everyone who ate it.
- HIV sickens people all around the world.
- I feel sickened at the thought of eating raw meat. (The word “sickened” is an adjective in this sentence.)
The word “sickness” is a noun.
- Our attendance at school has been affected by sickness.
- Sickness takes a toll on productivity at that company.
- The woman is suffering from a sickness of the mind.
The words “sick” and “sickening” can also be used to describe bad behavior or a bad result:
- That’s sick.
- He’s got a sick mind.
- That’s one sick dude.
- What kind of a sick, twisted person would do that to an animal?
- That’s sickening.
- The man’s crime against his family was sickening.
- It’s really sickening the way everyone at the company sucks up to the boss.
- It’s truly sickening to see that beautiful old building get demolished.
Recently in American slang, the word “sick” has taken on a new meaning. To say something is sick, may mean that something is impressive, extremely interesting, or cool:
- That’s sick! (That’s impressive!)
- That Tesla is sick! (That Tesla is very cool!)
- This song is sick. (It’s a good song.)
- Listen to that sick beat.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with S page to see the list of all words starting with letter S. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
