When you’re not feeling your best, it’s important to communicate how you’re feeling, but using the same phrase repeatedly can make your expression sound repetitive.
Instead of saying, “I’m not feeling well,” you can diversify your vocabulary with alternative expressions.
Whether you’re at work, with friends, or in a professional setting, knowing different ways to say you’re under the weather can help make your conversation more interesting and natural.
21 Other Ways to Say “I’m Not Feeling Well”
- I’m feeling under the weather
- I’m not feeling great
- I’m feeling off
- I’m a bit run down
- I’m not myself today
- I’m feeling lousy
- I’m not at my best
- I’m a little under the weather
- I’m feeling unwell
- I’m a bit sick
- I’m not in the best shape
- I’m feeling ill
- I’m feeling drained
- I’m a bit off-colour
- I’m feeling fatigued
- I’m feeling under the weather today
- I’m feeling weak
- I’m not up to par
- I’m feeling down
- I’m not in good health
- I’m dealing with something
1. I’m Feeling Under the Weather
Definition: This phrase refers to feeling slightly sick, often used in informal settings to convey that you’re not feeling 100%.
Description: “Under the weather” is one of the most commonly used alternatives to saying “I’m not feeling well.” It’s informal and perfect for casual conversations.
Usage Examples:
- I think I’ll stay home today; I’m feeling under the weather.
- She couldn’t make it to work because she was feeling under the weather.
2. I’m Not Feeling Great
Definition: This is a simple and clear way to express that you’re not feeling well, but it’s not too severe.
Description: “Not feeling great” is often used to describe feeling slightly off or having a mild illness. It’s useful for both formal and informal contexts.
Usage Examples:
- I’m sorry I’m late, I wasn’t feeling great this morning.
- He’s not feeling great, so he’s going to rest for the day.
3. I’m Feeling Off
Definition: This expression suggests that something feels slightly wrong or unusual about how you feel, but it doesn’t imply a major illness.
Description: “Feeling off” is perfect for describing minor discomforts or a general sense of not being well. It’s a more informal way to express not being at your best.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling a bit off today, might just lie down for a while.
- She’s been feeling off ever since the weekend.
4. I’m a Bit Run Down
Definition: This phrase suggests a lack of energy or feeling fatigued, often due to overworking or stress.
Description: “Run down” is often used when you’re feeling physically drained or tired, especially after a busy period.
Usage Examples:
- I’ve been working long hours and I’m feeling a bit run down.
- After all the travel, he was feeling run down and needed a break.
5. I’m Not Myself Today
Definition: This expression indicates that you’re not feeling like your usual self, often due to illness or discomfort.
Description: It’s a great alternative when you want to subtly convey that something is wrong, without going into specifics about your health.
Usage Examples:
- I’m sorry, I’m not myself today; I think I’m coming down with something.
- She’s usually energetic, but she’s really not herself today.
6. I’m Feeling Lousy
Definition: “Lousy” refers to feeling particularly unwell, often with symptoms like fatigue, aches, or nausea.
Description: This phrase can be used to convey that you’re not just slightly unwell, but genuinely feeling bad.
Usage Examples:
- I’ve been feeling lousy all day; I think I need some rest.
- He woke up feeling lousy, so he decided to cancel his plans.
7. I’m Not at My Best
Definition: This phrase expresses that you’re not functioning at your usual level, either mentally or physically.
Description: “Not at my best” is great for a more professional or polite way of saying you’re under the weather, but without specifics.
Usage Examples:
- I’m not at my best today, so I might need to take it easy.
- She was not at her best during the meeting because she was feeling sick.
8. I’m a Little Under the Weather
Definition: A slight variation of “under the weather,” this expression conveys that you’re not feeling well, but it’s less severe.
Description: This is a casual way to let others know you’re a bit sick, but it’s not too alarming.
Usage Examples:
- I’m a little under the weather, so I’ll take the day off.
- He’s a little under the weather, but he should be fine by tomorrow.
9. I’m Feeling Unwell
Definition: A direct, straightforward way to say you’re not feeling your best.
Description: “Feeling unwell” is a formal and polite way to express that you’re sick or under the weather. It works well in professional contexts.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling unwell and need to leave early.
- She’s been feeling unwell for the past couple of days.
10. I’m a Bit Sick
Definition: This expression suggests mild sickness or discomfort.
Description: “A bit sick” is a more casual, lighthearted way to indicate you’re not feeling well, but not severely ill.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling a bit sick, so I might need to rest.
- He’s a bit sick, but he’ll be back at work tomorrow.
11. I’m Not in the Best Shape
Definition: This phrase indicates that you’re not feeling physically or mentally well, often due to fatigue or illness.
Description: When you say you’re “not in the best shape,” it can imply that you’re feeling weak or less capable than usual.
Usage Examples:
- I’m not in the best shape right now, I think I need to rest.
- She’s not in the best shape, so she took the day off to recover.
12. I’m Feeling Ill
Definition: “Ill” is a more formal term for being unwell, usually suggesting sickness with noticeable symptoms.
Description: “Feeling ill” can refer to anything from a mild cold to a more serious illness. It’s commonly used in professional or polite settings.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling ill and won’t be able to attend the meeting.
- He’s been feeling ill for the past few days, so he’s staying in bed.
13. I’m Feeling Drained
Definition: This expression describes physical or emotional exhaustion, often as a result of illness or overwork.
Description: “Feeling drained” is typically used to express a lack of energy or vitality, whether from stress, fatigue, or minor sickness.
Usage Examples:
- After the long week, I’m feeling completely drained.
- She’s been feeling drained from working overtime lately.
14. I’m a Bit Off-Colour
Definition: This phrase is a British English expression indicating that you’re not feeling well, particularly in a minor way.
Description: “Off-colour” is a softer way of expressing that you’re unwell and typically means you’re feeling a bit under the weather.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling a bit off-colour, so I’m going to stay home today.
- He looks off-colour, I think he might be coming down with something.
15. I’m Feeling Fatigued
Definition: This expression means that you’re feeling extremely tired or exhausted, often due to illness or overexertion.
Description: “Feeling fatigued” is a more clinical way of expressing exhaustion, and it’s often used to indicate that you’re physically worn out.
Usage Examples:
- After the workout, I’m feeling completely fatigued.
- She’s been feeling fatigued for days, and it’s affecting her work.
16. I’m Feeling Under the Weather Today
Definition: A more specific version of “under the weather,” this emphasizes the current moment of feeling unwell.
Description: This version adds a temporal element to the expression, indicating that you’re only feeling unwell for the time being.
Usage Examples:
- I’m sorry, I’m feeling under the weather today, so I won’t be at the office.
- He won’t be joining us today; he’s feeling under the weather today.
17. I’m Feeling Weak
Definition: This refers to a physical sense of being unwell, often involving tiredness or lack of energy.
Description: “Feeling weak” can be used when you’re physically exhausted or dealing with symptoms of illness like dizziness or nausea.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling really weak, so I’m going to rest for the day.
- She’s been feeling weak since this morning and can’t go to work.
18. I’m Not Up to Par
Definition: This expression means you’re not performing at your usual standard, whether due to illness or lack of energy.
Description: “Not up to par” is a great way to explain that you’re not feeling physically or mentally at your best.
Usage Examples:
- I’m sorry, I’m not up to par today; I need to take it easy.
- He’s not up to par lately, and it’s affecting his productivity.
19. I’m Feeling Down
Definition: This phrase is often used to express a temporary state of feeling unwell, sad, or lacking energy.
Description: “Feeling down” can also imply emotional distress or mild sickness that leads to low energy or mood.
Usage Examples:
- I’m feeling down today; I think I might be getting sick.
- He’s been feeling down all week due to a cold.
20. I’m Not in Good Health
Definition: A formal way of saying that you’re experiencing some illness or discomfort.
Description: “Not in good health” is an elegant and more professional way to express that you’re unwell, particularly in workplace or formal settings.
Usage Examples:
- I’m not in good health and will be taking a sick day.
- She’s not in good health and may need to visit the doctor.
21. I’m Dealing With Something
Definition: A casual way to express that you’re experiencing some health issue without going into specifics.
Description: This phrase is helpful when you don’t want to go into details about your sickness but want to let others know you’re not well.
Usage Examples:
- I’m sorry I’m late; I’ve been dealing with something this morning.
- He’s dealing with something right now and can’t make it to the meeting.
Conclusion:
Now that you’ve discovered 21 other ways to say “I’m not feeling well”, you can easily mix up your expressions to keep your communication fresh and clear.
Whether you’re speaking to friends, family, or colleagues, using these alternatives will help you express yourself better and convey your feelings without being repetitive.
