Slang words have always been a fun way to express ourselves, especially when it comes to being sick. Rather than feeling down and gloomy, using words like “under the weather” or “feeling off” can add a humorous twist to an unpleasant situation.
Slang words for being sick can help to lighten the mood and make us feel less alone during those tough times. So let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used slang words for being sick and turn our negative feelings into a positive expression of humor.
20 slang words for being sick
1. Under The Weather
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling ill or unwell.
- Example: I can’t come into work today, I’m feeling under the weather.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling ill, often with some sort of cold or flu-like symptoms.
2. Off
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling unwell or not yourself.
- Example: I’m feeling a bit off today, not sure if it’s something I ate.
- How To Use: This term can describe feeling unwell or not quite yourself, but not necessarily to the point of being bedridden or unable to function.
3. Down With Something
- Meaning: (verb) To be sick or suffering from an illness.
- Example: I’m down with the flu, so I won’t be able to make it to the party.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe being sick, often with a specific illness or condition.
4. Feeling Rough
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling unwell or sick.
- Example: I spent all night throwing up, so I’m feeling pretty rough today.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling unwell or sick, often with symptoms such as nausea or headaches.
5. Under The Gun
- Meaning: (verb) To be dealing with an illness or sickness.
- Example: I’ve been under the gun with this cold for the past week.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe being in the midst of an illness or sickness, often implying that it’s been ongoing or persistent.
6. Out Of Commission
- Meaning: (adjective) Unable to function or perform normal activities due to illness or injury.
- Example: I won’t be able to go to work tomorrow, I’m out of commission with a migraine.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe being unable to function or perform normal activities due to illness or injury.
7. Laid Up
- Meaning: (adjective) Unable to leave the house or bed due to illness or injury.
- Example: I’m laid up with a cold, so I won’t be able to make it to the concert tonight.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe being physically unable to leave the house or bed due to illness or injury.
8. Down And Out
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling very sick or unwell.
- Example: I’m down and out with the flu, so I won’t be able to make it to the meeting tomorrow.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling very sick or unwell, often with symptoms such as fatigue or muscle aches.
9. Off-color
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling sick or unwell, often with digestive issues.
- Example: I’m feeling a bit off-color today, think it might be something I ate.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe feeling sick or unwell, particularly in the stomach or digestive region.
10. In The Dumps
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling sad or depressed due to illness or being unwell.
- Example: I’m in the dumps today, feeling really down because of this cold.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling sad or depressed due to being ill or unwell.
11. Out Of Sorts
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling unwell or not yourself.
- Example: I’m feeling a bit out of sorts today, not sure what’s wrong.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe feeling unwell or not quite yourself, often with a sense of unease or discomfort.
12. Off One’s Feed
- Meaning: (adjective) Losing one’s appetite due to illness or feeling unwell.
- Example: I’m off my feed today, just can’t seem to eat anything.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe losing one’s appetite due to illness or feeling unwell.
13. Feeling Blue
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling sad or depressed due to illness or feeling unwell.
- Example: I’m feeling blue today, this cold has really got me down.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe feeling sad or depressed due to being ill or unwell.
14. In Poor Health
- Meaning: (adjective) In a condition of poor health, often due to illness or injury.
- Example: I’m in poor health at the moment, dealing with a chronic illness.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe being in a condition of poor health, often due to illness or injury.
15. Running A Temperature
- Meaning: (verb) Running a fever due to illness or infection.
- Example: I’m running a temperature, think I might have picked up a bug at work.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe running a fever due to illness or infection.
16. Off The Rails
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling very sick or unwell, often with stomach or digestive issues.
- Example: I’m off the rails today, really struggling with this stomach bug.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling very sick or unwell, often with stomach or digestive issues.
17. Feeling Rotten
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling very sick or unwell.
- Example: I’m feeling absolutely rotten today, this flu is really knocking me out.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe feeling very sick or unwell, often with a sense of being run down or exhausted.
18. Sick As A Dog
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling very sick or unwell, often with symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.
- Example: I’m as sick as a dog today, can’t keep anything down.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling very sick or unwell, often with symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.
19. Feeling Queasy
- Meaning: (adjective) Feeling nauseous or unwell.
- Example: I’m feeling a bit queasy after that rollercoaster ride.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling nauseous or unwell, often without specifying a particular illness or condition.
20. Under The Table
- Meaning: (verb) Feeling very sick or unwell, often to the point of being unable to function or stand up.
- Example: I was under the table with food poisoning, it was awful.
- How To Use: You can use this term to describe feeling very sick or unwell, often to the point of being unable to function or stand up.