unhealthful

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: //ʌnˈhɛlθfəl//

KK: /ʌnˈhɛlθfəl/

adjective

Definition

Causing or likely to cause bad health; not good for your body.

Example

Eating too many unhealthful snacks can lead to weight gain.

Conversation

I read that eating too much fast food is unhealthful for you.

Yeah, I’ve heard that too, but it’s so convenient sometimes.

Exactly! I try to avoid unhealthful snacks, but they’re everywhere.

Same here! We should plan a healthy meal together instead.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

harmful

detrimental

unwholesome

Antonyms

healthful

beneficial

wholesome

Root Explanation

Unhealthful → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "healthful" (from "health" meaning the state of being free from illness and "-ful" meaning full of). The word "unhealthful" means not full of health or detrimental to health.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') being added to 'full of health' ('healthful') — that's why unhealthful means something that is not good for your health.

Visually Confused Words