noun
illness
A disease or the state of being unwell.
Her illness keeps her home from work for several days.
Etymology
The state-noun ending turns ill into the condition of being unwell. The noun can identify either that general condition or a particular disease causing it.
More examples
- He is recovering from a serious illness.
- Frequent handwashing helps prevent the spread of common illnesses.
- The clinic treats both physical and mental illness.
Forms
illness · illnesses
ill adjective — Suffering from disease or poor health.