What Does Under the Weather Mean? Full Usage Guide For 2026

The first time you hear someone say they’re “under the weather,” it almost sounds like they’re literally standing under a raincloud.

I remember seeing a friend post, “Can’t come today, feeling under the weather,” and I actually checked the weather app thinking they meant it was raining.

Spoiler: it wasn’t. 😅
That’s when I learned it was an expression, not a weather update.

Quick Answer: Under the weather means “feeling sick or unwell.” It’s a casual and friendly way to say you’re not feeling your best physically or sometimes emotionally.

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What Does “Under the Weather” Mean in Text?

When someone texts under the weather, they’re saying they are sick, tired, low energy, or not feeling well. It’s not medical slang—just a soft, polite way to explain you need rest.

Example:
“I’m a bit under the weather today, might stay home.”

In short: under the weather = not feeling well = feeling sick or off.

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Where Is “Under the Weather” Commonly Used?

You’ll see this phrase in almost every type of casual communication:

• Texting with friends 📱
• Instagram or Snapchat stories 🤳
• WhatsApp chats
• Workplace chats (informal teams) 💼
• TikTok captions
• School or college group messages 🎒

Tone:
It’s casual, friendly, and polite.
Not recommended for very formal writing, but totally fine for everyday messages.

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Examples of “Under the Weather” in Conversation

A: u okay? didn’t see u in class
B: nahh feeling under the weather today 😷

A: wanna hang later?
B: can’t, i’m under the weather rn 😪

A: why didn’t you come to work?
B: was under the weather, needed rest

A: ur voice sounds weird lol
B: ikr… under the weather today

A: game tonight?
B: not me… still under the weather 🤧

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When to Use and When Not to Use “Under the Weather”

When to Use

• Casual chats with friends
• Explaining why you can’t come to an event
• Letting someone know you feel unwell
• Light, polite conversation

When Not to Use

• Formal emails
• Serious medical situations
• Emergency messages
• Professional documents

Comparison Table

Context	Example Phrase	Why It Works
Friend Chat	“sorry can’t come, feeling under the weather 😞”	Casual & friendly way to explain
Work Chat	“Not feeling well today, taking rest.”	Professional but still clear
Email	“I’m unwell and will be taking sick leave today.”	Formal & appropriate

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Similar Slang Words or Alternatives

Slang / Phrase	Meaning	When to Use
not feeling it	low energy or mentally drained	casual chats with friends
feeling off	slightly unwell	neutral, general use
sick af	very sick	very casual, friends only
down bad (non-romantic)	emotionally low	online friends or social media
blah day	super tired or drained	chill, friendly chats
out of it	unfocused or sick	texting & casual messages

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FAQs About “Under the Weather”

Is “under the weather” slang?
It’s more of an idiom than slang, but used often in texting.

Is it rude to say?
Not at all—it’s polite and gentle.

Does it mean physically sick only?
Mostly yes, but sometimes people use it for emotional tiredness.

Can I use it in workplace chats?
Yes, if your workplace is informal. For formal emails, use “unwell” instead.

Is it used worldwide?
Yes! It’s a common English expression in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more.

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Conclusion

“Under the weather” is a friendly, casual, and widely-used phrase that simply means you’re feeling sick or unwell. It’s perfect for light conversations, everyday texting, and quick explanations when you’re not at your best.

If you’re skipping plans or updating someone on your condition, this phrase communicates your situation politely without oversharing.

Now that you know what it means and how to use it naturally, you can understand it instantly whenever it pops up in chats or social media.