unhealthy

unhealthy — adjective

1. describes food, habits, or conditions that are likely to damage your body or mak

1.形容詞A2
釋義

describes food, habits, or conditions that are likely to damage your body or make you ill.

例句

Theo stopped eating unhealthy food after his doctor warned him about heart disease.

collocation: unhealthy food / unhealthy diet

Working twelve-hour shifts without breaks created an unhealthy environment at the factory.

collocation: unhealthy environment / unhealthy conditions

同義詞
  • harmful

    more general; can apply to any kind of damage, not just health

  • damaging

    implies lasting or serious harm to the body

  • bad for you

    more informal, common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • healthy

    the direct opposite; good for your body

  • nutritious

    used specifically for food that provides nourishment

  • beneficial

    formal; describes something that has a positive effect

文法句型

unhealthy + noun

link verb + unhealthy

用法筆記

This is the most common meaning of 'unhealthy'. It often appears before nouns such as 'diet', 'lifestyle', 'habit', 'food', and 'environment'.

常見錯誤

❌Smoking is unhealthy for your health.
✅Smoking is unhealthy.
💡'unhealthy' already means bad for health; adding 'for your health' is redundant.

2. showing signs of poor physical condition; looking or feeling weak instead of bei

2.形容詞B1
釋義

showing signs of poor physical condition; looking or feeling weak instead of being fit and well.

例句

After months of poor sleep, Christopher looked pale and unhealthy.

link verb + unhealthy: look / seem / appear unhealthy

The puppy was unhealthy when Alessia adopted it, but good care made it stronger.

同義詞
  • sickly

    specifically describes someone who often looks or feels ill

  • weak

    broader meaning; can refer to physical strength or lack of energy

  • frail

    emphasises physical fragility, often due to age or illness

反義詞
  • healthy

    in good physical condition

  • fit

    physically strong and in good shape, often through exercise

  • strong

    having physical power and energy

文法句型

link verb + unhealthy

unhealthy + noun (body part)

用法筆記

Predicative use after linking verbs (look, seem, appear, be) is more common than attributive use before a noun for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌I am feeling unhealthy today' (when you have a cold).
✅I am feeling unwell today
💡'unhealthy' describes a longer-term condition or appearance, not a temporary illness.

3. describes thoughts, feelings, or social situations that are emotionally damaging

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes thoughts, feelings, or social situations that are emotionally damaging and outside what is considered psychologically balanced.

例句

An unhealthy obsession with checking his phone every two minutes was affecting Asher's sleep.

collocation: unhealthy obsession / unhealthy interest

The relationship became unhealthy when Omar stopped letting his partner see friends.

collocation: unhealthy relationship

同義詞
  • abnormal

    more neutral; describes something that deviates from what is usual

  • dysfunctional

    used specifically for relationships or systems that are not working properly

  • toxic

    stronger; implies active harm, especially in relationships

反義詞
  • healthy

    normal and balanced, especially in relationships

  • normal

    conforming to a standard; usual and expected

  • balanced

    emotionally or mentally stable; not extreme

文法句型

unhealthy + noun (abstract)

link verb + unhealthy (figurative)

用法筆記

Subject is usually an abstract noun such as 'relationship', 'atmosphere', 'obsession', 'interest', or 'attachment'. This sense applies only to psychological or social contexts, not physical health.

常見錯誤

❌Their friendship is unhealthy because they argue sometimes.
✅Their friendship is unhealthy because one person controls the other completely.
💡'unhealthy' in this sense describes a serious imbalance, not minor disagreements.