ˈeɪlmənt ˈbæd.li kəmˈpleɪnt ɪl ɪl ɪl ˌɪnɔːˈspɪʃəs ˈɒmɪnəs ˈɑmɪnəs (‘ill’ is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well he was ill prepared it ill befits a man to betray old friends the car runs badly he performed badly on the exam the team played poorly ill-fitting clothes an ill-conceived plan with difficulty or inconvenience; scarcely or hardly we can ill afford to buy a new car just now unfavorably or with disapproval tried not to speak ill of the dead thought badly of him for his lack of concern presaging ill fortune ill omens ill predictions my words with inauspicious thunderings shook heaven a dead and ominous silence prevailed a by-election at a time highly unpropitious for the Government distressing ill manners of ill repute resulting in suffering or adversity ill effects it's an ill wind that blows no good indicating hostility or enmity you certainly did me an ill turn ill feelings ill will affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function ill from the monotony of his suffering an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining