sick
‘sick’
A sick person has an illness or some other problem with their health.
She was at home looking after her sick baby.
He looked sick.
➜ See ill - sick
‘be sick’
In British English, to be sick usually means to bring up food through your mouth from your stomach.
I think I'm going to be sick.
In American English, to be sick means to be ill.
I was sick last week and couldn't go to work.
Be careful
Be sick meaning ‘be ill’ cannot be used in progressive forms. ‘George is being sick’ means ‘George is bringing up food from his stomach’.
Be sick meaning ‘be ill’ cannot be used in progressive forms. ‘George is being sick’ means ‘George is bringing up food from his stomach’.
‘vomit’ and ‘throw up’
If you vomit, you bring up food through your mouth from your stomach. Vomit is a fairly formal word.
She had a pain in her stomach and began to vomit.
In conversation, some people say throw up instead of ‘be sick’.
I think I'm going to throw up.
‘feel sick’
In British English, to feel sick means to feel that you want to vomit.
Being on a boat always makes me feel sick.
In American English, if someone feels sick, they feel ill.
Maya felt sick and was sent home from school.