illness

/ˈɪl.nəs/noun

The condition of being unwell; a disease or a period of poor health.

Example sentence

“He missed a week of work because of illness.”

'Illness' is the experience of being sick; 'disease' names the specific medical condition behind it.

Related words

allergyAn immune-system overreaction to a normally harmless substance, specifically the type I form driven by immunoglobulin E antibodies.recoverTo return to good health or a normal state; to get back something that was lost.vitaminPlaced before a word or its first letter to suggest that the thing named is good for health or wellbeing.treatmentThe medical help given to someone who is sick or hurt.dentistA doctor whose specialty is caring for and treating teeth.symptomA sign that shows something exists or is happening, especially something bad such as an illness.