IELTS Speaking · Vocabulary
under the weather
idiom/ˌʌndə ðə ˈweðə/Band 7
Last updated 21 July 2026
In short
“under the weather” is a Band 7 idiom that means slightly unwell. Below you'll find its pronunciation, natural example sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the collocations that help you use it accurately in the IELTS Speaking test.
Meaning
Slightly unwell.
Example sentences
Natural, spoken examples at the level an examiner rewards.
- “I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.”
- “He's been under the weather all week.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
unwellpoorlyoff-colour
Antonyms
in good healthfit as a fiddle
Collocations & common phrases
Word partners that make your usage sound natural — the difference between knowing a word and using it well.
Collocations
feel under the weather
Common phrases
under the weather
Related idioms
under the weatheras fit as a fiddle
Related words
Explore more vocabulary
Frequently asked questions
What does “under the weather” mean?
Slightly unwell.
How do you use “under the weather” in a sentence?
For example: “I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.”
What are some synonyms for “under the weather”?
Synonyms include unwell, poorly, off-colour.
Is “under the weather” good vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Yes. It is Band 7 vocabulary, and collocations such as feel under the weather help you use it naturally. Reaching for precise, less common words like this is exactly what lifts your Lexical Resource score.
Next step
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