unhealthyun‧health‧y /ʌnˈhelθi/ ●●○ adjective (comparative unhealthier, superlative unhealthiest) 
unhealthy living conditions2not normal or natural and likely to be harmful: an unhealthy relationshipunhealthy interest/obsession/fear etc Gareth had an unhealthy interest in death.3not physically healthy SYN ill, sick: an unhealthy baby4unhealthy skin, hair etc shows that you are ill or not healthy: an unhealthy pale complexion—unhealthily adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- An unhealthy diet is one that is too high in fat and sugar and too low in fibre.
- At the age of 30 I was fat, unhealthy, and smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.
- Eating all that junk food is really unhealthy.
- He has such an unhealthy lifestyle -- smoking, drinking, eating too much.
- James was a thin, pale, unhealthy child.
- My mother thought it was unhealthy to sleep with the windows shut at night.
- People who are very overweight tend to be more unhealthy than others.
- And Lindsey decided it was unhealthy, and that it had become divorce time.
- And they are given interpersonal strategies to avoid peer pressure to make these unhealthy choices.
- Competition characterises a healthy organisation and conflict an unhealthy organisation.
- One of them was a doctor, a large, unhealthy looking specimen with a huge warty nose covered in broken veins.
- Some managers come away from virtual reality demonstrations with unhealthy visions of holograms dancing in their heads.
- There's something rather unhealthy about this particular game.
- This is the unhealthy kind of denial.
- What may be unhealthy is the desire for instant transformations, the desire for that change to take place in an instant.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who is healthy
someone who is healthy has nothing physically wrong with them: · I've been much healthier since I stopped smoking.· She's just had a lovely healthy baby girl.
healthy - use this to say that someone feels or looks healthy, or that they are healthy again after an illness: · "How are you?'' "I'm very well, thank you.''· Clare's been much better since the operation.look well: · You're looking well - have you been on holiday?fit and well: · You need to eat regular nourishing meals if you want to keep yourself fit and well.
spoken say this when someone has asked you how you or someone else feels, and you are replying that you or the other person feels well: · "How are you?'' "Fine, thanks."· "How's your wife now?'' "Oh, she's fine, thank you.''
formal very healthy: · The hostages arrived back in Britain yesterday, tired but otherwise in good health.· My grandmother remained in excellent health until she was in her nineties.
someone who is usually healthy · He's nearly 60 now but he's strong and healthy and full of energy.· Her death came as a terrible shock. She had always been so healthy.stay/keep healthy · Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will help you to stay healthy.
someone who is strong has a healthy body that can do a lot of physical exercise, and becomes well quickly after any illnesses: · My father's over eighty now, and not very strong.· Only people who are physically strong and fit should consider coming on this expedition.
to not become ill easily and easily get well again after an illness or injury: · Your husband has an excellent constitution and is likely to recover in no time.· Her injuries were horrifying. Only her determination and robust constitution pulled her through.
written someone who is robust is very healthy, strong, and active, and almost never ill: · He was a robust little boy, with curly dark hair.· Paul travelled north to visit his parents, who he found less robust than before.
someone who looks healthy looking very healthy: · Two healthy-looking suntanned kids were playing in the driveway.· Even the most healthy-looking person could be carrying HIV.
use this to say that someone looks extremely healthy: · The baby lay in her father's arms, a picture of health and contentment.look the picture of health: · In spite of all her complaints, Jilly looked the picture of health.
how healthy or unhealthy you are · Linda's one of those people who always seem to be worrying about their health.health problems · Pollution in the atmosphere causes serious health problems for many people.mental/physical health · Too much stress is likely to affect both your mental and physical health.be in good/poor health (=be healthy or unhealthy) · There's no reason why you shouldn't continue working until you're 70 or over, if you're in good health.
the state of being healthy · For most animals, a shiny coat is a sign of health.· Your health is more important than any amount of money.
the condition of being healthy, happy, and having no problems: the wellbeing of somebody/somebody's wellbeing: · A warm home is essential to the wellbeing of elderly people.physical/mental/emotional etc wellbeing: · Samuel Roberts was a large man in his fifties who exuded physical wellbeing and self confidence.a feeling/sense of wellbeing: · It's a relaxing treatment that should leave you calm with a sense of wellbeing.
American when someone is usually healthy and does things to take care of their health, such as exercising and eating good foods: · In Denmark, regular health visiting promotes wellness by developing healthier children.· The institute trains people to manage wellness programs for industries, schools, communities and hospitals.
something that makes or keeps you healthy · Taking plenty of exercise can be both healthy and enjoyable.· I'm trying to eat a healthier diet now, with less fat and sugar.· a healthy outdoor life
if something is good for you or is good for your health , it makes you more healthy or stops you getting ill: · Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are very good for you.· I can't see how gazing at a crystal is in any way good for your health.· I love junkfood but I know it's not good for me.
if something does you good , it makes you feel better physically or emotionally, especially when you have not been feeling well: · I thought that a vacation would do me good.· Let's ask Jean to come tonight.. It might do her good to meet some new people.do somebody the world of good (=make you feel a lot better): · What you need is a good night out - it'd do you the world of good!
food that is wholesome helps you stay healthy because it has nothing unhealthy added to it and is usually prepared very simply: · 'Rosie's Pantry' is a small restaurant that serves good wholesome food.· Quality controllers ensure that all our products are safe, wholesome, and of good quality.
food that is nutritious is full of natural substances that your body needs to stay healthy or to grow properly: · Brown bread is more nutritious than white.· I eat a lot of beans, lentils and vegetables, which are nutritious but cheap.· Milk is a very nutritious food, containing protein, vitamins and minerals.
food that is nourishing helps your body to grow or to stay healthy and also gives you energy: · A simple chicken soup is both nourishing and delicious.· Preparing good nourishing family meals was a challenge with eight mouths to feed.· The Centre is open throughout the year, to ensure that homeless people can get at least one hot, nourishing meal a day.
American food or activities that are healthful help keep your body healthy: · The American breakfast is getting more healthful, with whole-grain breads and high-fiber cereals.· Our research group found that consumers want healthful food based on vegetables not meat products.
formal something that is beneficial makes you more healthy or helps you to stay healthy: · The occasional glass of wine is both enjoyable and beneficial.beneficial to: · This treatment can be very beneficial, especially to young children.
someone who is not healthy not usually healthy, so that you easily become ill: · James was a thin, pale, unhealthy child.· People who are very overweight tend to be more unhealthy than others.· At the age of 30 I was fat, unhealthy, and smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.
something that is bad for your health to make you less healthy or make you ill: · Children always seem to love food that's bad for them - ice-cream, sugar, burgers.· Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health.
likely to make you ill or less healthy: · He has such an unhealthy lifestyle -- smoking, drinking, eating too much.· An unhealthy diet is one that is too high in fat and sugar and too low in fibre.· My mother thought it was unhealthy to sleep with the windows shut at night.
likely to have a bad effect on your health: · The new air pollution controls are designed to limit harmful emissions from industry and motor vehicles.· You should always use sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.harmful to: · As yet there is no proof that genetically modified foods are harmful to humans.
very harmful to your health, and usually having a permanent effect: · Avoid too much exposure to damaging ultraviolet light.damaging to: · X-rays can be extremely damaging to living cells.
to have an obsession · My father always said I had an unhealthy obsession for spotty pop bands.· Our French teacher had a neurotic obsession with correct punctuation.
someone who is obsessed , has an obsession about someone or something: · Madonna was being stalked by an obsessed fan.obsessed by/with/about: · She was obsessed by Giles· He became obsessed in his old age with what to do with his immense wealth.· People are generally less obsessed about getting a tan than they used to be.
having an unreasonably strong and continuous interest in someone or something, so that you cannot stop thinking about them and your behaviour is seriously affected: · She's got this obsessive fear of losing control, so she never shows her emotions.· Deep anxiety can cause obsessive behaviour.obsessive about: · I try to look after my body as best I can, but I'm not obsessive about it.
to be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, even when you do not want to think about them: · Since the divorce, he hadn't been able to get Bonniet out of his mind.· She knew the story wasn't true, but she couldn't get it out of her mind.
informal to have an unreasonably strong interest in, liking for, or fear of something: · Joanne's got a thing about her hair. She's always changing the style.· The Captain had a thing about neat handwriting; in fact he couldn't bear to look at anything that wasn't beautifully written.
if something obsesses someone, or they obsess about it, they think about it all the time and cannot think about anything else: · The idea that she was being punished began to obsess her.obsess about: · Some women obsess about their thighs and stomachs.
to be continuously thinking about one subject so that you often talk about it when there is no reason to: · Boys of that age have a one track mind. All they think about is sex.
to have a strong and unnatural interest in something, so that you think about it a lot: · As a child, Quinlan had an unhealthy interest in death.
WORD SETSabscess, nounache, verbache, nounacne, nounagoraphobia, nounagoraphobic, nounague, noun-aholic, suffixAIDS, nounailment, nounairsick, adjectivealbino, nounalcoholic, nounalcoholism, nounallergic, adjectiveallergy, nounamnesia, nounamputee, nounanaemia, nounanaemic, adjectiveangina, nounanorexia, nounanorexic, adjectiveantacid, nounanthrax, nounantibody, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantigen, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounapoplectic, adjectiveapoplexy, nounappendicitis, nounarteriosclerosis, nounarthritis, nounaseptic, adjectiveaspirin, nounasthma, nounastigmatism, nounasymptomatic, adjectiveathlete's foot, nounatrophy, verbauto-immune disease, nounAyurvedic medicine, nounbaby blues, nounbacillus, nounbackache, nounbark, verbbattle fatigue, nounBCG, nounbedridden, adjectivebedsore, nounbed-wetting, nounbellyache, nounbenign, adjectiveberiberi, nounbespectacled, adjectivebetter, adjectivebilious, adjectivebinge, verbbiopsy, nounbirthmark, nounbite, verbbite, nounblack and blue, adjectiveBlack Death, the, black eye, nounblackout, nounbleed, verbbleeding, nounblind, verbblister, nounblister, verbblood bank, nounblood donor, nounblood poisoning, nounbloodshot, adjectiveblood transfusion, nounbloody, adjectivebloody, verbblue baby, nounboil, nounbotulism, nounbrain damage, nounbreakdown, nounbronchitis, nounbruise, nounbruise, verbBSE, nounbubonic plague, nounbug, nounbulimia, nounbump, nounbunion, nounbuzz, verbcalloused, adjectivecallus, nouncancer, nouncandida, nouncanker, nouncarbuncle, nouncarcinogen, nouncarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinoma, nouncardiac, adjectivecardiovascular, adjectivecaries, nouncarpal tunnel syndrome, nouncarrier, nouncarry, verbcarsick, adjectivecast, nouncasualty, nouncataract, nouncatarrh, nouncatatonic, adjectivecatching, adjectivecauliflower ear, nouncerebral palsy, nouncertify, verbcervical smear, nounchapped, adjectivecharley horse, nounchemotherapy, nounchesty, adjectivechicken pox, nounchilblains, nounChinese medicine, nouncholera, nounchronic, adjectivecirrhosis, nounCJD, nouncleanse, verbcleft palate, nounclinic, nounclinical, adjectiveclub foot, nouncold, nouncold sore, nouncolic, nouncolitis, nouncollapse, verbcolour-blind, adjectivecoma, nouncommon cold, nouncommon denominator, nouncommunicate, verbcomplaint, nouncomplicate, verbcomplication, nouncompound fracture, nounconcuss, verbconcussion, nouncondition, nouncongenital, adjectivecongested, adjectiveconjunctivitis, nounconstipation, nounconsumption, nounconsumptive, nouncontagion, nouncontagious, adjectivecontinent, adjectivecontract, verbcontusion, nounconvalesce, verbconvulsion, nouncorn, nouncortisone, nouncot death, nouncough, nounCPR, nouncrack-up, nouncramp, nounCreutzfeldt-Jakob disease, nouncrick, nouncrick, verbcripple, nouncripple, verbcross-eyed, adjectivecroup, nouncurable, adjectivecut, nouncyst, nouncystic fibrosis, nouncystitis, noundecompression sickness, noundeep vein thrombosis, noundeformity, noundegenerative, adjectivedehydrate, verbdelirious, adjectivedelirium, noundelusion, noundementia, noundengue fever, noundepression, noundermatitis, noundiabetes, noundiabetic, adjectivediabetic, noundiagnosis, noundialysis, noundiaper rash, noundiarrhoea, noundiphtheria, noundisability, noundisable, verbdisabled, adjectivedischarge, verbdisease, noundisgorge, verbdislocate, verbdisorder, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundistemper, noundistend, verbdizzy, adjectivedoddering, adjectivedoddery, adjectivedonate, verbdonor, noundouble vision, noundoughy, adjectivedown, adverbDown's syndrome, noundrawn, adjectivedressing, noundrinker, noundrunk, adjectivedrunk, noundrunken, adjectivedull, adjectivedumb, adjectiveDVT, noundysentery, noundyslexia, noundyspepsia, noundyspeptic, adjectiveearache, nouneating disorder, nounEbola, nounectopic pregnancy, nouneczema, nounemaciated, adjectiveemasculate, verbembolism, nounemphysema, nounencephalitis, nounendoscope, nounenervate, verbenteritis, nounepidemic, nounepilepsy, nounepileptic, adjectiveepileptic, nounetiology, nounexcruciating, adjectiveexposure, nouneyeless, adjectiveeye strain, nounfail, verbfaint, nounfester, verbfever, nounfever blister, nounfevered, adjectivefeverish, adjectivefirst aid, nounfit, nounflat feet, nounflat-footed, adjectiveflu, nounfood poisoning, nounfoot and mouth disease, nounfracture, verbfracture, nounfrostbite, noungall, noungammy, adjectiveganglion, noungangrene, noungas, noungash, noungastric, adjectivegastritis, noungastroenteritis, nounGerman measles, nounget, verbgingivitis, nounglandular fever, nounglaucoma, noungnarled, adjectivegonorrhea, noungout, noungrand mal, noungraze, verbgraze, noungriping, adjectivegroggy, adjectivegrowing pains, noungrowth, noungush, verbgynaecology, nounhacking cough, nounhaemophilia, nounhaemophiliac, nounhaemorrhage, nounhaemorrhage, verbhaemorrhoids, nounhalitosis, nounhandicap, nounhandicapped, adjectivehangover, nounhard of hearing, adjectiveharelip, nounhay fever, nounheadache, nounhealth, nounheart attack, nounheartburn, nounheart disease, nounheart failure, nounheat exhaustion, nounheat rash, nounheatstroke, nounheave, verbhepatitis, nounhernia, nounherpes, nounHIV, nounhormone replacement therapy, nounhospital, nounhospitalize, verbhot flush, nounhousebound, adjectiveHRT, nounhump, nounhumpback, nounhunchback, nounhungover, adjectivehydrophobia, nounhypertension, nounhypothermia, nounhysterectomy, nounhysteria, nounhysterical, adjectiveillness, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nounimmunize, verbimmunology, nounimpacted, adjectiveimpediment, nounimpetigo, nounimpotent, adjectiveincision, nounincontinent, adjectiveincubate, verbincurable, adjectiveindigestion, nounindisposed, adjectiveindisposition, nouninfantile, adjectiveinfantile paralysis, nouninfect, verbinfected, adjectiveinfection, nouninfectious, adjectiveinfirmity, nouninflammation, nouninflammatory, adjectiveinfluenza, nouninfusion, nouningrowing, adjectiveinoculate, verbinoperable, adjectiveinsane, adjectiveinsanity, nouninsomnia, nouninsomniac, nouninstability, nounintensive care, nounintravenous, adjectiveinvalid, nouninvalidity, nouninvasive, adjectiveirregular, adjectiveirritable bowel syndrome, nounirritant, nounirritate, verbirritated, adjectiveirritation, noun-ism, suffixisolation, nounjaundice, nounjaundiced, adjectivejet lag, nounknock-kneed, adjectiveknotted, adjectivelaceration, nounlaryngitis, nounlegionnaire's disease, nounleper, nounleprosy, nounlesion, nounleukemia, nounlisp, nounlisteria, nounliverish, adjectivelockjaw, nounlong-sighted, adjectiveloose, adjectivelozenge, nounlumbago, nounlunacy, nounLyme disease, nounmad cow disease, nounmalady, nounmalaise, nounmalaria, nounmalformation, nounmalignancy, nounmalignant, adjectivemalnourished, adjectivemalnutrition, nounmange, nounmangy, adjectivemania, nounmanic, adjectivemanic depression, nounmastitis, nounME, nounmeasles, nounmedicinal, adjectivemegalomania, nounmegalomaniac, nounmelancholia, nounmelancholic, adjectivemelanoma, nounmend, verbmeningitis, nounmentally handicapped, adjectivemigraine, nounmild, adjectivemiscarriage, nounmole, nounmongol, nounmono, nounmononucleosis, nounmorbid, adjectivemorning sickness, nounmoron, nounmotion sickness, nounmotor neurone disease, nounMRI, nounMRSA, nounMS, nounmultiple sclerosis, nounmumps, nounmurmur, nounmusclebound, adjectivemuscular dystrophy, nounmute, adjectivemute, nounmyopia, nounmyopic, adjectivemyxomatosis, nounnarcolepsy, nounnausea, nounnauseate, verbnauseous, adjectivenearsighted, adjectivenervous breakdown, nounnettle rash, nounneuralgia, nounneurosis, nounneurotic, adjectivenosebleed, nounnotifiable, adjectiveNSU, nounobesity, nounoff-colour, adjectiveoperate, verboperation, nounophthalmic, adjectiveophthalmology, noun-osis, suffixosteoarthritis, nounosteopathy, nounosteoporosis, nounoutpatient, nounoverbite, nounpacemaker, nounpaediatrics, nounpale, adjectivepallid, adjectivepallor, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpalsy, nounpandemic, nounparalyse, verbparalysed, adjectiveparalysis, nounparalytic, adjectiveparalytic, nounparanoia, nounparaplegia, nounparaplegic, nounparasitic, adjectiveParkinson's disease, nounparoxysm, nounpasty, adjectivepasty-faced, adjectivepathogen, nounpathological, adjectivepathology, nounpeaked, adjectivepeaky, adjectivepellagra, nounpeptic ulcer, nounperforated, adjectiveperiod pain, nounperitonitis, nounpernicious anaemia, nounpersecution complex, nounpestilence, nounpestilential, adjectivepetit mal, nounpharyngitis, nounphlebitis, nounphlegm, noun-phobic, suffixphysiotherapy, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepins and needles, nounplacebo, nounplague, nounplaque, nounplaster cast, nounpleurisy, nounPMS, nounPMT, nounpneumonia, nounpockmark, nounpockmarked, adjectivepoisoning, nounpolio, nounpolyp, nounpoor, adjectivepost-traumatic stress disorder, nounpremenstrual tension, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpreventive medicine, nounprickle, verbprickly heat, nounprognosis, nounprolapse, nounprophylactic, adjectiveprophylactic, nounprophylaxis, nounpsoriasis, nounpsychopath, nounpsychosis, nounpsychosomatic, adjectivepsychotic, adjectivepuffy, adjectivepull, verbpurulent, adjectivepus, nounpustule, nounqueasy, adjectiverabid, adjectiverabies, nounradiation sickness, nounradiography, nounrash, nounraw, adjectivereact, verbreaction, nounreceive, verbrecuperate, verbrecuperative, adjectiveregurgitate, verbrelapse, verbremission, nounrepetitive strain injury, nounresistance, nounrespond, verbretch, verbRhesus factor, nounrheumatic, adjectiverheumatic fever, nounrheumatism, nounrheumatoid arthritis, nounrickets, nounringworm, nounRSI, nounrubella, nounrun-down, adjectiverunny, adjectiverupture, nounsaddle-sore, adjectivesalmonella, nounscab, nounscabby, adjectivescabies, nounscald, verbscald, nounscaly, adjectivescar, nounscar, verbscarlet fever, nounschizophrenia, nounsciatica, nounsclerosis, nounscrape, verbscrape, nounscratch, nounscurvy, nounseasick, adjectiveseizure, nounself-examination, nounsenile, adjectivesenile dementia, nounsenseless, adjectivesepsis, nounseptic, adjectivesepticaemia, nounserum, nounset, verbsexually transmitted disease, nounshell shock, nounshell-shocked, adjectiveshingles, nounshock, nounshort-sighted, adjectivesickle-cell anaemia, nounsickly, adjectivesickness, nounside effect, nounsightless, adjectivesimple fracture, nounsleeping sickness, nounslipped disc, nounsmallpox, nounsnakebite, nounsnow blindness, nounsore, adjectivesore, nounspastic, adjectivespecial needs, nounspecimen, nounspina bifida, nounsprain, verbsputum, nounsquint, verbsquint, nounstammer, nounstarvation, nounstarve, verbSTD, nounstomachache, nounstone, nounstrain, nounstrain, verbstrangulated, adjectivestrep throat, nounstroke, nounsty, nounsuccumb, verbsufferer, nounsunstroke, nounsuperbug, nounsurgical, adjectiveswelling, nounswollen, adjectivesymptom, nounsymptomatic, adjectivesyndrome, nounsyphilis, nounTB, nountear, verbtetanus, nountherapeutic, adjectivetherapy, nounthrombosis, nounthrush, nountic, nountight, adjectivetingle, verbtinnitus, nountipsy, adjectivetonsillitis, nountoothache, nountorment, nountourniquet, nountoxaemia, nountoxic shock syndrome, nountraction, nountransfusion, nountrauma, nountravel sickness, nountreatment, nountremor, nountuberculosis, nountumour, nountunnel vision, nountwinge, nountwitch, nountyphoid, nountyphus, nounulcer, nounulcerate, verbultrasound, noununderweight, adjectiveundressed, adjectiveunhealthy, adjectiveuntreated, adjectivevaccinate, verbvaccine, nounvaricose veins, nounVD, nounvenereal disease, nounverruca, nounvertigo, nounviral, adjectivevirology, nounvirulent, adjectivevomit, verbvomit, nounwart, nounweak, adjectiveweal, nounweep, verbwheeze, verbwheeze, nounwheezy, adjectivewhiplash, nounwhooping cough, nounwind, nounwithered, adjectivewound, nounwrench, verbwriter's cramp, nounyaws, nounyeast infection, nounyellow fever, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Gareth had an unhealthy interest in death.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
Gareth had an unhealthy interest in death.· A poor diet affects your skin and hair condition.
(=an obsession that is not normal)· Our society seems to have an unhealthy obsession with staying young.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Your organization has simply lived too long with corrosive, unhealthy fear.· Healthy fears block the path to failure, while unhealthy fears steer organizations away from growth and success.· But unfortunately, they can also give rise to unhealthy fears.· Finally, restricting has the inevitable consequence of spreading unhealthy fear throughout an organization.· Low morale is an expression of the unhealthy fear that accompanies destructive core beliefs.
· The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.
· The representation of sexuality here is of an unhealthy obsession.· Soon after the departure of Roszak from Peace News McGrath had quit that paper, nursing an unhealthy obsession with drugs.
WORD FAMILYnounhealthhealthinessadjectivehealthy ≠ unhealthyadverbhealthily ≠ unhealthily
1likely to make you ill: unhealthy living conditions2not normal or natural and likely to be harmful: an unhealthy relationshipunhealthy interest/obsession/fear etc Gareth had an unhealthy interest in death.3not physically healthy SYN ill, sick: an unhealthy baby4unhealthy skin, hair etc shows that you are ill or not healthy: an unhealthy pale complexion—unhealthily adverb