26984 words

sicker

14 definitions • 35 examples
1
physically or mentally ill; not well or healthy:

Examples:

a sick cow
My father has been off sick (= not working because of illness) for a long time.
Anyone who could hurt a child like that must be sick (= mentally ill).
The old woman fell/took/was taken sick (= became ill) while she was away and had to come home.
figurative High rates of crime are considered by some people to be a sign of a sick society.
2
to tell your employer, usually by phone, that you are unable to go to work because of illness:

Examples:

A review of the caterer’s log for that day showed that 24 employees had called in sick.
Sometimes several teachers would phone in sick on the same day.
US Does your company have a set protocol for calling out sick?
3
feeling ill as if you are going to vomit:

Examples:

Lucy felt sick the morning after the party.
If you eat any more of that cake, you'll make yourself sick.
4
to vomit:

Examples:

She was sick after she ate too much chocolate.
5

Examples:

I'm sick at (= unhappy about) not getting that job.
It makes me sick (= makes me very angry) to see people wearing fur coats.
UK informal It's sick-making (= very annoying) that she's being paid so much for doing so little.
I'm sick (and tired/to death) of (= very annoyed about) the way you're behaving.
She was worried sick (= very worried) when her daughter didn't come home on time.
I felt sick (= felt shocked and disgusted) when I heard about the prisoners being beaten.
6

Examples:

Joan was not amused by the sick joke her brother told.
7
very good, excellent:

Examples:

snowboarders doing sick tricks
8
people who are ill:

Examples:

It's better for the sick to be cared for at home rather than in hospital.
9

Examples:

a pool of sick on the floor
10
physically or mentally ill; not well or healthy:

Examples:

We’ve got a sick cat.
I feel sick.
Only a sick mind could think of such things.
He’s out sick (= absent because of illness).
Samantha called in sick (= called to say she was ill and not coming to work).
11
feeling as if you are going to vomit:

Examples:

She was so nervous she got sick.
I feel sick to my stomach (= likely to vomit).
12

Examples:

Michelle is sick about not getting that job.
I can’t believe she lost the election – it just makes me sick.
13
not feeling well:

Examples:

Peter called in sick this morning.
off/out sick She's been out sick for a week.
14
a sick business, economy, etc. is having a lot of problems that are difficult to solve:

Examples:

New executives were brought in to turn the sick company around.

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