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⛰️ Pointed shape 🤒 Looking sick
peaked

peaked

7.2
Looking pale and weak, as if unwell
  • adjective
  • /piːkt/
  • UK
translation icon : pálido
  • After a long illness, he looked quite peaked and needed rest.

Examples

  • And so she was looking a bit peaked and I said my arms wouldn't work very well.

  • She was feeling peaked after missing several days of work due to flu.

  • I already know that peaked look how pretty Selena looks.

  • So they look as if they're pretty much peaked and run out of steam, perhaps run out of susceptible individuals.

  • My, my mindset, my, my intellect, everything there is about being a man within my soul and my, my brain and my heart is all peaked now.

  • The dog's coat appeared peaked and dull, indicating it might be unwell.

Synonyms

sickly
vspeaked
30 2.6

Often ill and looking weak or pale

highlights a pale look that suggests getting ill now rather than chronic weakness
under the weather
vspeaked
  • Informal
21 5.3

Feeling slightly ill and not your usual self

is about a pale, sickly look that suggests imminent falling ill rather than feeling off
unwell
vspeaked
18 1.0

Feeling slightly sick or uncomfortable

describes the visible pale sign that suggests an illness may soon appear
haggard
vspeaked
12 7.0

Looking very tired and pale from worry, illness, or lack of food

is paleness implying falling ill rather than exhaustion from stress or hunger
ailing
vspeaked
3 5.6

Having poor health and often getting sick

refers instead to a pale look that suggests becoming ill soon rather than long illness
peaky
vspeaked
  • UK
1 5.5

Pale and looking ill

is the pale appearance that suggests imminent illness rather than simple tiredness
wan
vspeaked
7.4

Pale in the face and looking sick or unhappy

focuses more on paleness that signals likely coming illness rather than mood
drawn
vspeaked
4.9

A face that looks tired, pale, and worried

stresses paleness that hints at imminent sickness rather than only worry
poorly
vspeaked
2.8

Feeling ill or not well

points to a pale, sickly appearance suggesting near illness rather than a general state
indisposed
vspeaked
6.9

Feeling slightly ill or unwell

focuses on a pale appearance that indicates an approaching illness rather than reluctance

Antonyms

healthy
695 1.0

In good body and mind condition without sickness or injury

vibrant
81 4.1

Full of energy and activity that makes people feel excited

Compounds

peaked cap
  • UK
1 4.2

A hat with a flat round top and a stiff front that sticks out, worn by police or army

How Sick

critical
917 4.0
peaked
  • UK
7.2
pale
291 1.0
well
142 1.0

Surface Forms

peaked positive

Morphology

peaked = peak (opaque) = peak + ed

The sense 'pale, sickly' is an idiomatic or shifted meaning not derivable from 'peak' = 'top'.

Etymology

Peaked (meaning 'pale and sick') likely comes from the same idea as peak ('point'); a helpful way to remember it is to picture a thin, sharp face like a mountain 'peak', which makes someone look weak or unwell.