Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » healthy

healthy

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of healthy is someone or something that has, appears to have or helps to produce good health.

(adjective)

An example of healthy is a seventy year old man without any medical issues.
An example of healthy is a newborn baby without jaundice.
An example of healthy is a diet full of fruits and vegetables.

See healthy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective healthier, healthiest

having good health; well; sound
showing or resulting from good health: a healthy color
healthful
Informal large, vigorous, etc.: a healthy yell

Related Forms:

healthily adverb
healthiness noun

See healthy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective health·i·er, health·i·est

Possessing good health.
Conducive to good health; healthful: healthy air.
Indicative of sound, rational thinking or frame of mind: a healthy attitude.
Sizable; considerable: a healthy portion of potatoes; a healthy raise in salary.

Related Forms:

healthˈi·ly adverb

healthˈi·ness noun

Usage Note: The distinction in meaning between healthy (“possessing good health”) and healthful (“conducive to good health”) was ascribed to the two terms only as late as the 1880s. This distinction, though tenaciously supported by some critics, is belied by citational evidence—healthy has been used to mean “healthful” since the 16th century. Use of healthy in this sense is to be found in the works of many distinguished writers, with this example from John Locke being typical: “Gardening . . . and working in wood, are fit and healthy recreations for a man of study or business.” Therefore, both healthy and healthful are correct in these contexts: a healthy climate, a healthful climate; a healthful diet, a healthy diet.

Learn more about healthy

healthy synonyms

healthy medical definition

healthy in a sentence

healthy quotes

healthy images