What does sickener mean?
A sickener is a person or thing that makes someone ill. Depending on context, it may denote a harmful substance, such as poison or contaminated food, or a person who causes illness deliberately. The word has a threatening, often narrative quality and consequently appears frequently in stories, mystery writing, and descriptions of dangerous substances. It is less common than the general terms “poison” or “something that causes illness,” but it conveys a stronger sense of responsibility and menace. In modern usage, “sickener” most often describes an agent that produces nausea or illness, while its older figurative use can mean a person who ruins another person’s prospects or causes widespread distress. Although less frequent in ordinary conversation than “poison,” the word remains useful because it identifies both the source of an illness and, when applied to a person, the agency behind it.
nounA person or thing that causes someone to become ill; especially a substance or agent that makes a person feel sick.
- Something that causes illness or a feeling of nausea.
- A person who deliberately makes another person ill.
"The fumes proved to be an effective sickener, sending everyone in the room rushing for fresh air."
"The contaminated water acted as a sickener, causing nausea throughout the building."
"The story of the sinister sickener was difficult for the children to hear."
The plural is used when referring to multiple people or agents that cause illness.
"The report identified two common sickeners found in the contaminated water."
The word “sickener” names something that makes you ill—and can also refer to the person responsible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sickener come from?
The word is formed from the adjective “sick” together with the suffix “-er,” meaning “one that” or “something that” causes a particular condition. The adjective “sick” comes from Old English, where the related noun “sūcc” and forms associated with sickness were used. The resulting word is thus English in origin and continues the native Germanic vocabulary for illness.
Related word forms
How sickener is actually used
This is an uncommon noun, usually encountered in narrative, historical, or literary contexts. It is more figurative and dramatic than the neutral terms “cause of illness” and “poison.”