noun
illness
IHL-nuhs
noun
1
A disease or period of poor health.
"He took two weeks off work due to illness."
"Her illness was eventually diagnosed as a rare autoimmune condition."
How to Use Illness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sickness — either a specific disease or, more generally, being unwell.
Common pairings
chronic illness
mental illness
terminal illness
recover from illness
Word Forms
illnesses plural
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He took two weeks off work due to _____.
Etymology
From ill + the noun-forming suffix -ness.