adjective
bedridden
BED-rid-un/ˈbedrɪdn/
Unable to leave bed because of illness, injury, or weakness.
The bedridden man needs assistance to sit up and drink.
Etymology
Bed and rider form the image of a “bedrider,” someone confined to bed by illness or weakness. Originally a noun for that person, the expression became an adjective describing the condition.
In context
i was bedridden for at least two weeks i would be dead if it wasn't for my wife
More examples
- Volunteers delivered meals to bedridden residents.
- Her injury made her temporarily bedridden.
- The nurse helped the bedridden patient adjust the pillows.
Forms
bedridden
Similar words
- bedbound
- Bedbound closely matches confinement to bed; bedridden is the more traditional adjective.
- immobile
- Immobile cannot move; bedridden can still allow movement within the bed.