sinking spell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized/dated)Formal/Literary, primarily medical/descriptive writing
Quick answer
What does “sinking spell” mean?
A sudden or noticeable decline in health, strength, or condition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden or noticeable decline in health, strength, or condition.
A temporary period of physical or emotional deterioration; a downturn or worsening phase in a situation, such as in an illness, market, or mood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or meaning. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Dated, somewhat euphemistic, associated with older medical descriptions or literary narratives of illness.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern usage in both regions. More likely found in 19th/early 20th-century texts or historical medical accounts.
Grammar
How to Use “sinking spell” in a Sentence
[Patient/Subject] had/suffered/experienced a sinking spell.a sinking spell of [Illness/Depression]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The company hit a sinking spell in Q3.'
Academic
Rare, mainly in historical/medical texts discussing patient symptoms.
Everyday
Very rare. Likely misunderstood. 'Feeling poorly' or 'having a bad day' are common equivalents.
Technical
Outdated medical terminology. Modern equivalents: 'acute exacerbation', 'downturn', 'clinical deterioration'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sinking spell”
- Using it to mean a 'sad feeling' (use 'sinking feeling').
- Using it in modern medical contexts.
- Incorrect plural: 'sinking spells'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In this phrase, 'spell' means a short, indefinite period of time (e.g., 'a cold spell').
No, it is considered dated and is rarely used in modern medical or everyday language. Terms like 'downturn', 'relapse', or 'acute episode' are more common.
A 'sinking spell' is an actual period of physical/conditional decline. A 'sinking feeling' is a metaphorical emotional sensation of dread or disappointment.
Yes, but rarely and metaphorically. It can describe a temporary downturn in fortunes, morale, or economic performance, though this is very literary/archaic.
A sudden or noticeable decline in health, strength, or condition.
Sinking spell is usually formal/literary, primarily medical/descriptive writing in register.
Sinking spell: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ spɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ spɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take a turn for the worse”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ship (your health) suddenly taking on water and starting to SINK for a short SPELL of time.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH/STRENGTH IS A FLOATING OBJECT; DETERIORATION IS SINKING.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sinking spell' MOST accurately used?