sick note: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1informal
Quick answer
What does “sick note” mean?
An official document, typically from a doctor or medical professional, confirming that a person is too ill to work or attend school.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official document, typically from a doctor or medical professional, confirming that a person is too ill to work or attend school.
Informally, can refer to any excuse or justification for missing an obligation, or be used as a metaphor for a person or thing that is habitually unreliable or weak.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Common in UK English; US English overwhelmingly prefers "doctor's note" or "medical excuse." "Sick note" is understood but marked as British in the US.
Connotations
In the UK, it's a standard, neutral term for the bureaucratic requirement. In the US, using "sick note" might sound informal or specifically British.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK workplace/school discourse. Low frequency in US, where "doctor's note" is the standard collocation.
Grammar
How to Use “sick note” in a Sentence
[Person] needs/gets/hands in a sick note.[Institution] requires a sick note for absences over [number] days.The doctor wrote/gave me a sick note.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sick note” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- My boss sick-noted me for a week. (Informal/jargon: to authorize leave with a note)
- He's always trying to sick-note out of team meetings. (Informal: to excuse oneself)
American English
- The doctor will note your sickness. (Not a direct equivalent; 'sick-note' as a verb is rare in AmE.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- It's a sick-note culture in that department. (Adj: characterized by frequent absences)
- He has a sick-note mentality. (Adj: prone to finding excuses)
American English
- He has a doctor's-note excuse. (Similar concept but different phrasing.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
HR policy states you must submit a sick note if you are absent for more than seven consecutive days.
Academic
The university requires a sick note from the student health service for any exam absence.
Everyday
I've got a terrible cold, so I'll need to pop to the GP for a sick note for work.
Technical
The employer requested a Statement of Fitness for Work (the official 'fit note') rather than a traditional sick note.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sick note”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sick note”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sick note”
- Using 'sick note' in formal US contexts (use 'doctor's note').
- Spelling as one word: 'sicknote' (should be two words).
- Confusing with 'sick leave', which is the time off, not the document.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, they are related but not identical. A 'sick note' (an older, informal term) simply stated you were unfit. A 'fit note' (the official term since 2010) is more detailed, stating what you *can* do and suggesting adjustments to help you return to work.
No. A valid sick note must be issued by a qualified medical professional (e.g., a doctor, nurse practitioner). Writing your own would be forgery and could have serious professional or legal consequences.
It depends on the doctor's assessment and local policy. It can be for a specific number of days (e.g., "3 days") or can cover a period until your next assessment. Always check your employer's or school's specific rules.
A 'sick note' is the *document* proving illness. 'Sick leave' (or 'sick pay') is the *time* you are allowed to be absent from work while ill, often governed by policy and the note itself.
An official document, typically from a doctor or medical professional, confirming that a person is too ill to work or attend school.
Sick note is usually informal in register.
Sick note: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk nəʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk noʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[informal, derogatory] He's a walking sick note. (Someone often ill)”
- “That old car is a sick note. (Something unreliable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: When you're SICK, you need a NOTE to prove it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE (The note transforms a subjective state into an officially sanctioned, written justification.)
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'sick note' the MOST common and standard term?