sick list: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Semi-formal, institutional; common in workplace and organizational contexts.
Quick answer
What does “sick list” mean?
An official list, typically kept by an employer or organization, of people who are absent from work or duty due to illness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official list, typically kept by an employer or organization, of people who are absent from work or duty due to illness.
Informally, can refer to the state of being officially noted as sick and absent from work, or to a group of people who are currently ill.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is far more common and established in British English. In American English, equivalents like 'sick roll', 'medical leave roster', or simply 'list of people out sick' are more likely, though 'sick list' is understood.
Connotations
In UK usage, it carries a neutral, procedural connotation. In US usage, if used, it might sound slightly British or old-fashioned.
Frequency
High frequency in UK workplace vocabulary; low-to-medium frequency in US English, often replaced by other phrases.
Grammar
How to Use “sick list” in a Sentence
[Person/Employee] is on the sick list.[Manager/HR] placed [person] on the sick list.The sick list is growing.to go/be put on the sick list.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sick list” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Archaic/Rare) The doctor sick-listed him for a fortnight.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
HR departments manage the sick list to track employee absences and pay.
Academic
Rare; might appear in sociological studies of workplace health.
Everyday
"Half the office is on the sick list with this flu."
Technical
Used in occupational health and personnel management contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sick list”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sick list”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sick list”
- Using 'sick list' to mean a list of symptoms or diseases.
- Saying 'I need a sick list from the doctor' (incorrect; you need a 'sick note').
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He was sick-listed' is very rare/archaic UK).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'sick note' is a document from a doctor confirming illness. The 'sick list' is the employer's record of who is absent due to sickness.
It is understood but less common. Phrases like 'out on sick leave' or 'on the absence report' are more typical in American workplaces.
It is semi-formal and institutional. It is appropriate for workplace and HR communication but not for highly formal medical or legal documents.
The term has strong roots in the British military and naval tradition, where an official 'sick list' was maintained to account for sailors and soldiers unable to perform duties.
An official list, typically kept by an employer or organization, of people who are absent from work or duty due to illness.
Sick list: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk ˌlɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk ˌlɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “His name is on the sick list (meaning: he is officially off work ill).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a literal LIST with the word SICK written at the top, and names of absent employees below it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (a 'sick list' indicates a part of the organizational body that is malfunctioning or absent).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'sick list' MOST commonly used as a standard term?