/ ˈɪlnəs; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] the state of being physically or mentally ill :
mental illness
I missed a lot of school through illness last year.
2.
[ C ] a type or period of illness :
minor / serious illnesses
childhood illnesses
He died after a long illness.
➡ note at disease
••
SYNONYMS
illness
sickness ♦ ill health ♦ trouble
These are all words for the state of being physically or mentally ill.
illness
the state of being physically or mentally ill.
sickness
illness; bad health:
I recommend you get insurance against sickness and unemployment.
illness or sickness?
Sickness is used most often in contexts concerning work and insurance. It is commonly found with words such as pay , leave , absence and insurance . Illness has a wider range of uses and is found in more general contexts.
ill health
( rather formal ) the state of being physically ill or having lots of health problems:
She resigned because of ill health.
NOTE
Ill health often lasts a long period of time.
trouble
illness or pain:
heart trouble.
NOTE
When trouble is used with this meaning, it is necessary to say which part of the body is affected.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
chronic / long-term illness / sickness / ill health / heart, etc. trouble
a bout of illness / sickness / ill health / heart, etc. trouble
to suffer from illness / sickness / ill health / heart, etc. trouble