Ill  —adj. (attrib. Except in sense 1) 1 (usu. Predic.) Not in good health; unwell. 2 wretched, unfavourable (ill fortune; ill luck). 3 harmful (ill effects). 4 hostile, unkind (ill feeling). 5 faulty, unskilful (ill management). 6 (of manners or conduct) improper. —adv. 1 badly, wrongly, imperfectly (ill-matched; ill-provided). 2 scarcely (can ill afford it). 3 unfavourably (spoke ill of them). —n. 1 injury, harm. 2 evil.  ill at ease embarrassed, uneasy. [old norse]