Sick vs. Unhealthy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
Sick often implies a state of being affected by illness or disease, while unhealthy suggests a condition of poor health due to lifestyle or environmental factors.
Difference Between Sick and Unhealthy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sick and unhealthy are terms frequently used in health contexts but convey different nuances. On the other hand, unhealthy generally describes a broader state of poor health, which may not be linked to a specific illness at a given time.
While sick can sometimes be temporary, with recovery restoring health, being unhealthy might indicate a more persistent condition or a series of choices leading to deteriorating health. For instance, a person can get sick with a cold and recover, whereas living an unhealthy lifestyle can lead to chronic health issues like heart disease or diabetes that require long-term management.
The term sick is often used to describe the immediate experience of symptoms or ailments, such as feeling nauseous or having a fever, which are clear indicators of the body's response to an infection or condition. In contrast, unhealthy may not always manifest in clear or immediate symptoms but is understood through long-term health outcomes or lifestyle assessments.
The distinction between sick and unhealthy also extends to prevention and treatment. While medical intervention can treat sickness by targeting specific diseases or conditions, becoming healthier often requires a holistic approach, including changes in diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Affected by a specific illness or disease.
Poor health due to various factors, not necessarily linked to a specific illness.
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Cause
Bacteria, viruses, injuries, genetic conditions.
Lifestyle choices, environmental factors, genetic predisposition.
Symptom Presence
Usually has visible symptoms or diagnosable conditions.
May not always show immediate symptoms; often related to long-term health effects.
Duration
Can be temporary or chronic.
Often refers to long-term health status.
Treatment & Prevention
Medical treatment, rest, medication.
Lifestyle changes, diet, exercise, stress management.
Compare with Definitions
Sick
Used to express disgust or horror.
They found the sick joke offensive.
Unhealthy
Reflecting a lack of psychological well-being.
The relationship became unhealthy over time.
Sick
Affected by illness or disease.
She felt sick with the flu last week.
Unhealthy
Indicative of poor health; diseased.
His unhealthy complexion worried her.
Sick
Exhibiting mental illness or disorder.
He was diagnosed as sick and needed care.
Unhealthy
Morally harmful; pernicious.
They warned us about the unhealthy influence of some media.
Sick
Feeling nausea or an urge to vomit.
The turbulent flight made him sick.
Unhealthy
Not in a state of good or normal health.
The polluted air made the city unhealthy.
Sick
Desiring sympathy or showing signs of illness.
She looked sick and pale.
Unhealthy
Conducive to poor health; not healthful.
Fast food is considered unhealthy.
Sick
Affected by physical or mental illness
Visiting the sick and the elderly
Nursing very sick children
Half my staff were off sick
Unhealthy
Harmful to health
An unhealthy diet
Sick
Feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit
Mark felt sick with fear
He was starting to feel sick
Unhealthy
Being in a state of ill health; sick.
Sick
Intensely annoyed with or bored by (someone or something) as a result of having had too much of them
I'm absolutely sick of your moods
Unhealthy
Characterized by or symptomatic of ill health
An unhealthy pallor.
Sick
(especially of humour) having something unpleasant such as death or misfortune as its subject and dealing with it in an offensive way
This was someone's idea of a sick joke
Unhealthy
Causing or conducive to poor health; unwholesome
An unhealthy diet.
Sick
Excellent.
Unhealthy
Harmful to character or morality; corruptive
Unhealthy reading material.
Sick
Vomit
She was busy wiping sick from the carpet
Unhealthy
Characterized by or symptomatic of disturbed mental health
Took an unhealthy interest in violence and fires.
Sick
Set a dog on
The plan was to surprise the heck out of the grizzly by sicking the dog on him
Unhealthy
Of a risky nature; dangerous
An unhealthy predicament.
Sick
Suffering from or affected with a physical illness; ailing.
Unhealthy
Characterized by, or conducive to poor health
The villagers lived in unhealthy surroundings.
Sick
Of or for sick persons
Sick wards.
Unhealthy
Sick or ill
He was an unhealthy child.
Sick
Nauseated.
Unhealthy
Tending to corrupt
He liked unhealthy reading material.
Sick
Mentally ill or disturbed.
Unhealthy
Characterized by disturbed mental health
He had an unhealthy interest in fire.
Sick
Unwholesome, morbid, or sadistic
A sick joke.
A sick crime.
Unhealthy
Not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind;
Unhealthy ulcers
Sick
Defective; unsound
A sick economy.
Unhealthy
Detrimental to health
Sick
Deeply distressed; upset
Sick with worry.
Unhealthy
Not conducive to good health;
An unhealthy diet of fast foods
An unhealthy climate
Sick
Disgusted; revolted.
Sick
Weary; tired
Sick of it all.
Sick
Pining; longing
Sick for his native land.
Sick
In need of repairs
A sick ship.
Sick
Constituting an unhealthy environment for those working or residing within
A sick office building.
Sick
Unable to produce a profitable yield of crops
Sick soil.
Sick
(Slang) Excellent; outstanding
Did a sick run down the halfpipe.
Sick
Sick people considered as a group. Often used with the.
Sick
Chiefly British Vomit.
Sick
Variant of sic2.
Sick
In poor health; ill.
She was sick all day with the flu.
We have to care for the sick.
Sick
Having an urge to vomit.
Sick
(colloquial) Mentally unstable, disturbed.
Sick
(colloquial) In bad taste.
That's a sick joke.
Sick
Tired of or annoyed by something.
I've heard that song on the radio so many times that I'm starting to get sick of it.
Sick
(slang) Very good, excellent, awesome, badass.
This tune is sick.
Dude, this car's got a sick subwoofer!
Sick
In poor condition.
Sick building syndrome; my car is looking pretty sick; my job prospects are pretty sick
Sick
(agriculture) Failing to sustain adequate harvests of crop, usually specified.
Sick
Vomit.
He lay there in a pool of his own sick.
Sick
(especially in the phrases on the sick and on long-term sick) Any of various current or former benefits or allowances paid by the Government to support the sick, disabled or incapacitated.
Sick
(colloquial) To vomit.
I woke up at 4 am and sicked on the floor.
Sick
To fall sick; to sicken.
Sick
(rare) sic
Sick
Affected with disease of any kind; ill; indisposed; not in health. See the Synonym under Illness.
Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever.
Behold them that are sick with famine.
Sick
Affected with, or attended by, nausea; inclined to vomit; as, sick at the stomach; a sick headache.
Sick
Having a strong dislike; disgusted; surfeited; - with of; as, to be sick of flattery.
He was not so sick of his master as of his work.
Sick
Corrupted; imperfect; impaired; weakned.
So great is his antipathy against episcopacy, that, if a seraphim himself should be a bishop, he would either find or make some sick feathers in his wings.
Sick
Sickness.
Sick
To fall sick; to sicken.
Sick
People who are sick;
They devote their lives to caring for the sick
Sick
Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;
After drinking too much, the students vomited
He purged continuously
The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
Sick
Not in good physical or mental health;
Ill from the monotony of his suffering
Sick
Feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit
Sick
Affected with madness or insanity;
A man who had gone mad
Sick
Having a strong distaste from surfeit;
Grew more and more disgusted
Fed up with their complaints
Sick of it all
Sick to death of flattery
Gossip that makes one sick
Tired of the noise and smoke
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to be sick?
Being sick means suffering from an illness or disease, exhibiting symptoms like fever, nausea, or pain.
Can someone look healthy but still be unhealthy?
Yes, someone may appear healthy but have underlying conditions or make choices detrimental to long-term health.
How can one transition from unhealthy to healthy?
Through diet, exercise, avoiding harmful substances, and stress management.
Can someone be unhealthy without being sick?
Yes, someone can be unhealthy due to poor lifestyle choices without currently suffering from a specific illness.
Is mental health related to being sick or unhealthy?
Mental health issues can be considered a form of sickness and can also result from or contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Can sickness be contagious while being unhealthy is not?
Yes, many sicknesses are contagious, whereas being unhealthy is related to personal health status and choices.
What are some indicators of an unhealthy lifestyle?
Indicators include poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive stress, and substance abuse.
How is being unhealthy different from being sick?
Being unhealthy refers to a state of poor health due to lifestyle or environmental factors, not necessarily linked to a specific illness.
Can environmental factors make someone sick or unhealthy?
Yes, pollutants and toxins in the environment can contribute to sickness and poor health.
How can lifestyle changes impact being sick or unhealthy?
Lifestyle changes can prevent certain illnesses and improve overall health, making one less likely to become sick or remain unhealthy.
Is it possible to be sick due to unhealthy lifestyle choices?
Yes, unhealthy lifestyle choices can lead to diseases like diabetes or heart disease, causing one to become sick.
What are some common signs of being sick?
Common signs include fever, cough, nausea, and fatigue.
How do doctors determine if someone is sick or unhealthy?
Through physical exams, medical history, symptoms, and sometimes lifestyle assessments.
How important is prevention in avoiding being sick or unhealthy?
Prevention, through healthy living and vaccinations, is crucial in avoiding many diseases and maintaining overall health.
What role does genetics play in being sick or unhealthy?
Genetics can predispose individuals to certain conditions, affecting both sickness and overall health.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
