healthy
- 1In good health, free from disease, or showing the signs of good health.
His doctor confirmed that he was perfectly healthy.
A healthy adult usually recovers from this infection within a few days.
- 2Tending to promote or maintain good health.
Nutritionists recommend a healthy diet rich in vegetables and whole grains.
Cycling to work was the healthiest change he made all year.
UsageThe adverb is healthily: eat healthily, live healthily.
Similarwholesome, nourishing, healthful
Oppositeunhealthy
- 3Strong, successful, and in good working order, said of things such as an economy, a business, or a relationship.
Economists say the economy is healthy enough to handle higher interest rates.
After years of counseling, they have a much healthier marriage than before.
Similarstrong, robust, sound, thriving, flourishing
- 4Of an attitude or emotion: sound and normal, and sensible for a person to hold.
Reporters should keep a healthy skepticism toward official statements.
Sailors who have survived a storm tend to have a healthy respect for the sea.
UsageUsually before a feeling noun, often with for: a healthy respect for the sea, a healthy fear of dogs.
Similarsensible, reasonable, proper
- 5Considerable or substantial in size or amount; sizable enough to be a clear benefit.
The company reported a healthy increase in sales this quarter.
He left the waiter a healthy tip for the excellent service.
UsageUsually before a word for an amount: a healthy profit, a healthy tip, a healthy margin.
Similarsubstantial, sizable, considerable, generous, handsome
Practice
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Origin
Formed from "health" combined with the suffix "-y".
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Healthy is formed from health and the suffix -y. en.wiktionary.org