What does sickly mean?
Sickly describes something associated with illness, weakness, or poor health, especially a person who appears pale, frail, or unwell. It can also describe a plant or animal that is unhealthy, and it may refer to food or a smell that causes nausea. In the expression 'sickly sweet,' it means excessively or unpleasantly sweet rather than literally ill. As an adverb, sickly describes a weak, unsteady, or ill manner of moving or speaking, although this use is less frequent than the adjective. The word is common in British and American English and can carry a sympathetic tone when applied to a person, while its figurative uses often suggest disgust or unpleasant excess.
Unhealthy, weak, or of a pale and unwell appearance; also causing nausea or revulsion, or excessively sweet.
"The sickly plant wilted in the heat."
The adjective is much more common than the adverb. 'Sickly sweet' is a familiar figurative expression.
In a weak, ill, or unsteady manner.
"He smiled sickly and lowered his eyes."
This use is relatively uncommon and often appears in descriptive or literary prose.
Sickly can describe more than illness: in the phrase 'sickly sweet,' it means so excessively sweet that it causes distaste.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sickly come from?
Sickly was formed in the Middle English period by adding the suffix -ly to sick. The underlying adjective sick comes from Old English, and related forms include sicken and sickness. In modern English, sickly retains both its literal association with poor health and figurative associations with nauseating excess.
Related word forms
How sickly is actually used
Sickly is commonly used for a person, a complexion, or a plant. Its use for something nauseating is generally stronger and more figurative, while 'sickly sweet' is an established expression for excessive sweetness. As an adverb, sickly is less common and usually describes a weak or unsteady manner.
Easily confused with sickly
Sick describes a person or condition as affected by illness, while sickly more often emphasizes weakness, poor health, or an unhealthy appearance.
Sickening describes something that causes disgust or revulsion, whereas sickly can describe a person as weak or unwell or something as excessively sweet.