What does queasy mean?
Queasy is an adjective describing a feeling of mild sickness, especially nausea or the sense that one might vomit. It is often used when describing a physical reaction to food, travel, illness, or an unpleasant sight. The word can also be used figuratively: someone who is queasy about a decision or proposal feels apprehensive, uncomfortable, or reluctant. Its figurative use often suggests a stronger concern than simple uncertainty, sometimes implying that a situation seems morally troubling or potentially harmful. The related noun is queasiness, which names the feeling itself. Queasy is common in both British and American English and appears in everyday conversation as well as in more formal descriptions of symptoms and emotional reactions. The word is especially useful because it links bodily discomfort with emotional unease, allowing a speaker to convey both vividly and economically.
adjectiveFeeling slightly ill, especially as though one might vomit. It can also mean uneasy or uncomfortable about a situation or prospect.
- Feeling slightly ill, especially as though one might vomit.
- Feeling uneasy, apprehensive, or uncomfortable about a situation or prospect.
"The rough boat ride left her feeling queasy, and she was also a little queasy about the decision to travel at all."
"After eating too quickly, he began to feel queasy and had to lie down."
"Several members of the committee were queasy about the risks involved in the proposal."
Queasy can describe both a churning stomach and a wavering sense of confidence, making it a vivid word for physical unease and moral doubt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does queasy come from?
The word entered English in the Middle English period in forms associated with sickness, nausea, and squeamishness. It developed from an Old English word meaning 'sick' or 'squeamish,' which belonged to the Germanic branch of the language; its remote relationship to related words in other Germanic languages is not as certain as the English history.
Related word forms
How queasy is actually used
The expression 'queasy about' is common in standard English for expressing strong but not necessarily extreme unease, apprehension, or moral discomfort.