WordGarden.iosickly
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɪkli/
US
- /ˈsɪkli/
Meanings
Adjective
often ill, weak, or in poor health
looking pale or unhealthy, especially in the face or skin
overly sweet or cloying in a way that causes nausea
More meaningsFewer meanings
having an unpleasant pale, yellowish, or lurid color
Beyond the definition
The word "sickly" does not always mean someone is currently suffering from a specific fever or cough. It more often describes a generally unhealthy appearance: pale skin, a fragile body, and a lack of strong health. Imagine a young sapling struggling to grow in poor soil; you might describe it as sickly because it looks weak and vulnerable.
"Sickly" is also often used figuratively. A "sickly sweet" dessert is too sweet, almost unpleasantly so. In the same way, a "sickly green" color might suggest something unnatural, decaying, or unsettling. The word often suggests a delicate, fragile state, whether physical or sensory. Think of the Victorian era: while pale complexions were often considered fashionable, they were also described as "sickly" because poor nutrition and limited sunlight could make people look weak and unhealthy.
"Sickly" is a descriptive word that goes beyond the temporary state of being sick. While it can mean suffering from an ailment, it more often suggests a persistent state of ill health or weakness—a fragility that's noticeable in a person's appearance or a thing's condition. Think of a child who catches every cold going around, or an elderly person with failing health; you might describe them as sickly. It implies a fundamental lack of vitality and robustness.
The word evokes images of pale skin, thinness, and a general lack of energy. You'd use the phrase "a sickly glow" to describe the faint, unhealthy light on someone's face. It is also powerfully used metaphorically. A "sickly sweet" scent or flavor is so intense it becomes overwhelming and unpleasant. In art or descriptions, a "sickly green" hue might suggest something decaying or unnatural.
Historically, "sickly" was often associated with chronic conditions like tuberculosis, where prolonged illness led to a characteristic pale and weakened appearance. While medical understanding has advanced, the word still carries that connotation of long-term frailty. Ultimately, while "sick" simply states an instance of illness, "sickly" paints a picture of ongoing vulnerability—a delicate state of being that suggests a lack of strong health. It is as much about how something appears as it is about its actual physical state.
Examples
- 1
After illness
She still looked pale and sickly after the flu.
- 2
Child health
He was a sickly child and missed a lot of school.
- 3
Plant color
Without enough sunlight, the leaves turned a sickly yellow.
- 4
Unpleasant sweetness
The room was filled with a sickly sweet smell from the candles.
- Phrasesickly sweet
so sweet that it becomes unpleasant
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sicklyadjective
Forms
- sickliercomparativeadjective
- sickliestsuperlativeadjective