sickly
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈsɪkli/
KK: /ˈsɪkli/
adjective
Definition
Having a weak or unhealthy appearance; often associated with illness or lack of strength.
Example
The sickly child stayed home from school because he was not feeling well.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Comparative: sicklier
Superlative: sickliest
Conversation
I heard you weren't feeling well yesterday.
Yeah, I felt really sickly all day.
I'm sorry to hear that! What do you think caused it?
I think it was the weather; it’s been so sickly humid lately.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
weak
feeble
unwell
Antonyms
healthy
strong
vibrant
transitive verb
Definition
To cause someone or something to become weak or unhealthy.
Example
The constant stress sicklies her spirit, making it hard for her to enjoy life.
Tense Forms
Past: sicklied
Past Participle: sicklied
Conversation
Have you noticed how stress can really sickly affect our mood?
Absolutely, it can make everything feel heavy and overwhelming.
Yeah, I think it sickly clouds our judgment too.
Root Explanation
Sickly → It is formed from "sick" (from Old English *sēoc*, meaning ill or unwell) and "-ly" (meaning in a manner of). The word "sickly" describes a manner of being ill or having a tendency to be unwell.
Memory Tip
Think of someone who is 'ill' ('sick') and how they might behave 'in a manner of' ('-ly') being unwell. This helps you remember that 'sickly' refers to a state of being often ill.
Visually Confused Words
stickly
slickly
unsickly
stickily
tickly
sticky
fickly