Nauseous vs. Nauseated — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 4, 2023
"Nauseous" traditionally means causing nausea, like a foul odor, while "Nauseated" means feeling sick or experiencing nausea. E.g., "The rotten smell is nauseous," versus "I feel nauseated."
Difference Between Nauseous and Nauseated
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Key Differences
"Nauseous" and "Nauseated" are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they have distinct traditional meanings. "Nauseous" refers to something that induces nausea or is sickening to contemplate. For example, a disgusting sight or a pungent odor can be described as nauseous because it might cause someone to feel sick.
On the other hand, "Nauseated" is the feeling of being affected by nausea or being sick to the stomach. When someone says they are nauseated, they're expressing that they feel like they might throw up or that they're experiencing stomach discomfort.
However, language is ever-evolving, and the lines between these two terms have blurred in recent times. Nowadays, many people use "nauseous" to indicate that they're feeling unwell or queasy. Still, purists argue for the distinction, noting that using "nauseous" when you mean "nauseated" is like saying you're "poisonous" when you mean you've been "poisoned."
Additionally, context plays a pivotal role in understanding the intended meaning. If someone says, "This roller coaster ride makes me nauseous," it might mean the ride causes them to feel nauseated or that they find the ride itself sickening. To avoid ambiguity, it's helpful to use the terms in their traditional senses.
Lastly, while both words describe conditions related to nausea, "Nauseous" is about causing that condition, while "Nauseated" is about experiencing it.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Causing nausea or sickening.
Feeling nausea or being sick to stomach.
Part of Speech
Adjective
Adjective/Verb
Usage
Describing something sickening.
Describing one's feeling of nausea.
Example
"The odor is nauseous."
"She felt nauseated after the ride."
Context
Often used for things that induce nausea.
Often used for individuals feeling sick.
Compare with Definitions
Nauseous
Causing nausea or disgust.
The sight was nauseous.
Nauseated
Affected with nausea; feeling sick.
She was nauseated by the smell.
Nauseous
Affected with nausea or disgust.
He felt nauseous after the meal.
Nauseated
Feeling an urge to vomit.
The spoiled food left her feeling nauseated.
Nauseous
Unpleasant; loathsome.
He had a nauseous attitude.
Nauseated
Disturbed or sickened by an unpleasant sensation.
He felt nauseated after the horror movie.
Nauseous
Sickening to think about.
The details of the accident were nauseous.
Nauseated
Having a revulsion or strong aversion.
He was nauseated by the cruelty he witnessed.
Nauseous
Inducing a feeling of queasiness.
The winding road was nauseous.
Nauseated
Experiencing a feeling of unease in the stomach.
The turbulence made him feel nauseated.
Nauseous
Causing nausea; sickening
"the most nauseous offal fit for the gods" (John Fowles).
Nauseated
To feel or cause to feel nausea. See Usage Note at nauseous.
Nauseous
Affected with nausea.
Nauseated
To feel or cause to feel loathing or disgust.
Nauseous
Causing nausea; sickening or disgusting.
Nauseated
Having a feeling of nausea.
Nauseous
(obsolete) Inclined to nausea; sickly, squeamish.
Nauseated
Simple past tense and past participle of nauseate
Nauseous
Afflicted with nausea; sick.
Nauseated
Feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit
Nauseous
Causing, or fitted to cause, nausea; sickening; loathsome; disgusting; exciting abhorrence; as, a nauseous drug or medicine.
Nauseous
Feeling nausea; as, nauseous from the effects of chemotherapy.
The nauseousness of such company disgusts a reasonable man.
Nauseous
Causing or able to cause nausea;
A nauseating smell
Nauseous offal
A sickening stench
Common Curiosities
If I feel like throwing up, which term should I use?
You should say you feel "nauseated."
Are both "Nauseous" and "Nauseated" adjectives?
Yes, but "Nauseated" can also be a verb.
Can I say "I'm nauseous" if I feel sick?
While many people do, traditionally you'd say, "I'm nauseated."
Do "Nauseous" and "Nauseated" mean the same thing?
Traditionally, "Nauseous" means causing nausea, while "Nauseated" means feeling nausea.
Is it incorrect to use "Nauseous" to describe feeling sick?
While common in modern usage, it's not the traditional meaning.
Can both words be used interchangeably?
Modern usage often sees them used interchangeably, but they have distinct traditional meanings.
In medical terms, which word describes a patient feeling sick?
A patient would be described as feeling "nauseated."
If I want to say I've been affected by a nauseous smell, how should I phrase it?
You'd say, "The nauseous smell made me feel nauseated."
Which word describes something that induces nausea?
"Nauseous" describes something that induces nausea.
If a smell makes me want to vomit, which word describes the smell?
The smell would be described as "nauseous."
Which term might be used to describe a sickening sight?
A sickening sight would be described as "nauseous."
Are these terms medical in nature?
While they can be used in medical contexts, they're also used in everyday language.
Can I say a roller coaster is nauseous?
Yes, if you mean the roller coaster induces a feeling of nausea in riders.
Why is there confusion between "Nauseous" and "Nauseated"?
Over time, common usage has blurred their distinct meanings.
If a movie scene is disturbing, which word describes my feeling?
If the scene makes you feel sick, you'd say it made you feel "nauseated."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
