What is ill? Pronunciation and usage in English

ill means . Learn how to pronounce and use ill through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ill

illadjective

/ɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of ill

The pronunciation of "ill" in English depends slightly on where you are and what dialect you're hearing, but here's the breakdown:

Most Common Pronunciation (General American):

  • ˈɪl (pronounced like "il" as in "hill" but without the "h")
    • The first syllable ("i") is a short, open "i" sound, like in "bit."
    • The second syllable ("l") is a simple "l" sound.

Other Dialects:

  • British English: Often pronounced as ˈɪl (same as above). However, you might also hear ˈɪl (like "eel") in some regional accents, particularly in the West Country.
  • Southern American English: Can sometimes be pronounced ˈɪl (like "eel").

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • "i" sound: Think of the "i" in "bit" or "sit." It's a short, quick sound.
  • "l" sound: A standard "l" sound, made by touching the tip of your tongue to the ridge behind your top teeth.

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Usage and examples with the word ill in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ill" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As an Adjective – Meaning Sick:

  • Most Common Use: This is by far the most frequent way "ill" is used. It describes someone who is not well, feeling sick, or suffering from an illness.
    • Examples:
      • "I feel ill today." (I'm not feeling well.)
      • "She’s been ill with a cold for a week." (She's been sick with a cold.)
      • “He's ill in bed.” (He’s sick and in bed.)
      • "The patient is ill and needs immediate care." (The patient is sick and needs urgent care.)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning Poorly (Describing a Condition):

  • “Ill” can also describe a condition other than a sickness. It can imply something is lacking or not performing properly.
    • Examples:
      • "The engine sounded ill." (The engine sounded rough or was malfunctioning.)
      • "The project is going ill." (The project is not progressing well; it’s failing.)
      • "The harvest was ill this year." (The harvest was poor.)

3. As a Verb – Meaning To Suffer from Illness:

  • “Ill” can be used as a verb, describing the act of being sick.
    • Examples:
      • "I am ill with the flu." (I’m suffering from the flu.)
      • "He was ill for several days." (He was sick for several days.)
      • "The patient illed with pneumonia.” (The patient was suffering from pneumonia.)

4. Phrases Using "Ill":

  • "Not well": A shortened version of “not feeling well.” “I’m not well, thank you.”
  • "Under the weather": This is an idiom meaning to be slightly unwell – not seriously ill, but not feeling at your best. “I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
  • "Ill in bed": Specifically indicating that someone is sick and confined to bed.
  • "Ill at ease": Feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, often due to a worry or anxiety.

5. Grammatical Notes:

  • Comparative & Superlative: You can form comparatives and superlatives, but it’s less common and often sounds a bit awkward. It implies a degree of illness.
    • “He’s less ill than he was yesterday.” (He's not as sick as he was yesterday.)
    • “She’s the illest patient in the ward.” (She’s the sickest patient in the ward - this is somewhat formal and emphatic.)

Here's a quick table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Sick “I feel ill.”
Adjective Poorly, not performing well “The machine is ill.”
Verb To suffer from illness “He is ill with a fever.”
Phrase Slightly unwell “I’m feeling under the weather.”

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Idioms of the word ill

bad/ill feeling
anger between people, especially after an argument
  • There was a lot of bad feeling between the two groups of students.
  • I don't want any bad feelings between us.
ill at ease
feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed
  • I felt ill at ease in such formal clothes.
ill/bad feeling
anger between people, especially after an argument
  • There was a lot of ill feeling between the two groups of students.
  • I don't want any ill feelings between us.
it’s an ill wind (that blows nobody any good)
(saying)no problem is so bad that it does not bring some advantage to somebody

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