1. often ill or in poor health; weak and unhealthy
2. appearing pale, weak, or unhealthy
3. causing nausea or disgust; unpleasantly weak or faint

1. in a way that suggests illness or weakness

Examples

• The sickly child missed many days of school.
• She had a sickly complexion after being indoors all winter.
• The sickly sweet smell of rotting fruit filled the air.
• The plant looked sickly and needed more sunlight.
• He smiled sickly when asked about his poor performance.
• The sickly yellow color of the walls made the room depressing.
• Her sickly appearance worried her parents.