Vocabulary Spotlight
Bilious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Affected by or associated with nausea or vomiting; (figuratively) spiteful or bad-tempered.
“His bilious attitude made him difficult to work with.”
Pronunciation
[bil-yuhs]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Peevish
Cantankerous
Spiteful
Nauseous
Antonyms
Pleasant
Agreeable
Genial
Kind
Related Words
Liverish
Choleric
Word Origin
“Bilious” is derived from the Latin word “biliosus,” meaning “full of bile.” In ancient and medieval medicine, bile was associated with irritability and a bad temperament. The term retains its figurative meaning in modern language.
Word Family
Noun: Biliousness – A state of being irritable or sickly.
Related Adjective: Choleric – Easily angered; hot-tempered.
Mnemonics
Remember “Bilious” as being “full of bile” — indicating someone who is bitter, bad-tempered, or nauseous.
Industry-specific Usage
Medicine
“Bilious” can describe a condition related to bile production or digestion, often associated with nausea.
Literature
Authors may describe a character as bilious to emphasize a bitter, cantankerous personality.
Everyday Speech
In informal contexts, “bilious” might describe a person in a bad mood or behaving spitefully.
In Context
“Bilious” can refer both to a physical state of nausea and a figurative sense of bitterness or irritability. It is often used to highlight someone’s bad temper or negativity, reflecting their demeanor or health issues.