unhealthy

/ʌn'helθi/

Thân thiện

A child eats an unhealthy snack of greasy chips and soda.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not conducive to good health; harmful to physical well-being: Describes something that is likely to cause illness or poor physical condition.
   • Not in a state of good health; sickly: Describes a person, animal, or plant that appears ill or is not physically sound.
   • (Figurative) Morally or psychologically harmful or abnormal: Describes conditions, relationships, or attitudes considered damaging to mental or emotional well-being.

Usage and Examples

• Describing harmful conditions or habits:
  • The doctor warned that an unhealthy diet high in sugar could lead to diabetes.
  • Living in damp, moldy conditions is unhealthy for the lungs.
• Describing a sickly appearance or state:
  • The plant looked unhealthy, with yellowing leaves and weak stems.
  • He had a pale and unhealthy complexion after being ill for weeks.
• Describing harmful non-physical situations:
  • She finally left the unhealthy relationship that was causing her so much stress.
  • The company was known for its unhealthy competitive culture where employees were pitted against each other.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "unhealthy obsession/fascination": An excessive and damaging preoccupation with something.
  • He developed an unhealthy obsession with checking social media, which affected his sleep.
• "unhealthy silence/atmosphere": A silence or general feeling that is oppressive, tense, or indicative of underlying problems.
  • An unhealthy silence fell over the room after the angry outburst.

Variants and Related Words

• Unhealthily (adverb): In a manner that is not healthy.
  • He was unhealthily thin.
• Unhealthiness (noun): The state or quality of being unhealthy.
  • The unhealthiness of the city's air quality is a major concern.

Synonyms

• Harmful: Causing or likely to cause harm.
• Deleterious: Causing harm or damage (more formal).
• Unwholesome: Not conducive to moral or physical well-being.
• Sickly: Often ill; appearing weak and unhealthy.

Antonyms

• Healthy: In good health; conducive to good health.
• Wholesome: Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.
• Salubrious: Health-giving; healthy (often used for places or climates).

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Unhealthy lifestyle: A way of living that increases the risk of serious disease.
• Unhealthy habits: Regular practices that are bad for one's health, like smoking.
• Unhealthy environment: Surroundings that are physically or psychologically damaging.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not conducive to good health
   • an unhealthy diet of fast foods
   • an unhealthy climate
2. detrimental to health
3. not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind
   • unhealthy ulcers

Từ đồng nghĩa

• insalubrious
• unhealthful