sickie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium in informal contexts, high in casual British English.Informal, colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “sickie” mean?
A day taken off work due to illness, often informally and sometimes implying that the illness is feigned.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A day taken off work due to illness, often informally and sometimes implying that the illness is feigned.
Can also refer to the act of taking such a day off or the associated sick note.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Sickie' is common in British and Australian English, while in American English, 'sick day' or 'calling in sick' is preferred.
Connotations
In British English, it may suggest malingering; in American English, it is more neutral.
Frequency
Frequently used in the UK, especially in workplace slang; rare in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “sickie” in a Sentence
take a sickiepull a sickieVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally in workplace conversations to refer to days off due to illness, often with a hint of doubt.
Academic
Rarely used due to its informal nature; not appropriate in academic writing.
Everyday
Common in casual speech, especially among workers discussing absences.
Technical
Not used in technical or formal medical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sickie”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sickie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sickie”
- Using 'sickie' in formal documents, or confusing it with 'sick note' which is the official document.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal and colloquial term, primarily used in casual conversations.
While understood, it is less common in American English, where phrases like 'sick day' are more standard.
'Sickie' refers to the day off itself or the act, while 'sick note' is an official document from a doctor certifying illness.
It can be if the illness is feigned; however, in informal use, it sometimes refers to legitimate sick days as well.
A day taken off work due to illness, often informally and sometimes implying that the illness is feigned.
Sickie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪki/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪki/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull a sickie”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sickie' as a combination of 'sick' and 'cookie' – a sweet excuse to take a day off when sick.
Conceptual Metaphor
Illness as a key to freedom from work.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'sickie'?