WordGarden.ionauseous
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈɔːsɪəs/
US
- /ˈnɔʃəs/
Meanings
Adjective
feeling sick and likely to vomit
causing nausea, disgust, or revulsion
Beyond the definition
If the smell of old gym socks makes your stomach churn, you might feel nauseous. It's that uncomfortable, "green" feeling right before you might throw up—a wave of sickness rising within you. You don't necessarily have to vomit to be nauseous; it's the unpleasant sensation itself. A bumpy boat ride, a scary rollercoaster, or even just thinking about something gross can trigger it. While language purists argue that nauseous should technically describe the thing that causes the sickness (like a "nauseous odor"), almost everyone today uses it to describe the feeling of being sick itself.
To be nauseous means to experience a physical sensation of sickness and discomfort in the stomach that often precedes vomiting. It's more than just a simple dislike for something; it's a distinct queasiness that can range from a mild flutter to intense distress. For example: "The rocking of the ship made her feel intensely nauseous," or "He felt nauseous after eating spoiled food."
Interestingly, nauseous and nauseated have a bit of a linguistic history. Traditionally, nauseous described things that induced nausea (like a rotting smell), while nauseated described the person experiencing the sick feeling. However, in modern English, nauseous is widely accepted to describe the feeling itself, though some grammar experts still prefer the original distinction.
The word's history is quite literal: it comes from the Greek naus, meaning "ship"—the same root as "nautical." This is because sailors often experienced seasickness on the rolling waves. So, when you feel nauseous, you are essentially feeling the same stomach-turning sensation that ancient sailors did on a tossing deck. Whether it's caused by motion sickness, illness, or an unpleasant sight, being nauseous is your body's unsettling way of signaling that something isn't quite right.
Examples
- 1
Travel sickness
I felt nauseous on the bus and had to look out the window.
- 2
Medicine side effect
The medicine made her nauseous for the first few days.
- 3
Motion sickness
He gets nauseous if he reads in a moving car.
- 4
Anxiety reaction
Just thinking about the surgery made me nauseous.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Bad smell
A nauseous smell came from the kitchen trash.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- woozy
- seasick
- green around the gills
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- feel nauseous
- become nauseous
- nauseous after eating
- nauseous from medication
Word family
Explore
- motion sickness
- indigestion
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- nauseousadjective