A214 words · Elementary

Being Ill vocabulary — A2

Illness vocabulary for everyday sickness, including the flu, a cough, a sneeze and feeling poorly, with the words people use to describe catching and spreading a bug.

14 questions

Words in this set

flu
/flu/
A common illness that gives you a high temperature, body aches, and a blocked nose.
Example: Half the office is off sick with the flu.
germ
/dʒɜrm/
A very small living thing on your hands that can make you ill.
Example: Washing your hands well kills most germs.
disease
/dɪˈziz/
A serious illness that a person can have for a long time.
Example: Heart disease is common in older people.
infection
/ˌɪnˈfɛkʃən/
An illness in one part of your body, such as a cut or an ear, caused by germs.
Example: The cut got an infection and needed cream.
spread
/sprɛd/
To pass from one ill person to many others, as a disease does.
Example: The flu spread quickly through the whole school.
deaf
/dɛf/
Not able to hear, or not able to hear well.
Example: My grandfather is deaf in one ear.
bug
/bʌɡ/
An illness caused by an infection, usually not serious, that is easily passed from one person to another.
Example: I think I've caught a stomach bug.
immune
/ˌɪˈmjun/
Protected against a particular illness so that you do not get it.
Example: She's immune to chickenpox because she had it as a child.
poorly
/ˈpurli/
British English, informal: feeling ill.
Example: My son is off school today because he's feeling poorly.
chill
/tʃɪl/
A mild illness, often with shivering, caused by being cold.
Example: Put a coat on or you'll catch a chill.
cough
/kɑf/
A sudden, noisy push of air from your throat, often when you are ill.
Example: She had a bad cough that kept her awake all night.
sneeze
/sniz/
To suddenly blow air out through your nose and mouth with a loud noise.
Example: The dust made me sneeze several times.
weak
/wik/
Not having much strength in your body.
Example: I felt weak after two days without food.
itchy
/ˈɪtʃi/
Making you want to scratch your skin again and again.
Example: This wool jumper feels really itchy.