Nauseous vs Nauseated | Meaning & Differences
Historically, nauseous was used to mean “causing nausea” (e.g., “the nauseous smell”). Today, it’s often used in the same way as the adjective nauseated, meaning “feeling sick to one’s stomach or likely to vomit” (e.g., “I’m nauseous” or “I’m nauseated”).
However, it’s important to note that “nauseated” can also be used as the simple past tense and past participle of the verb “nauseate,” which means “to make somebody feel ill, disgusted, or as if they’re going to vomit” (e.g., “His behavior nauseated me”).
| Nauseous in a sentence examples | Nauseated in a sentence examples |
|---|---|
| The nauseous smell of the rotten fish caused everyone to leave the restaurant.
I immediately became nauseous when I saw the steep drop of the roller coaster. |
Samantha was feeling nauseated, so she went home early.
The pungent smell nauseated me, so I had to leave the area. |
Nauseous meaning
“Nauseous” is an adjective that describes someone as feeling uneasy in their stomach or as if they’re going to vomit. For example, feeling nervous can sometimes make one feel nauseous, but so does eating something that is undercooked or past its expiration date.
Timothy felt nauseous, so I explained that was an expected side effect of the medication.
Lauren was nauseous at first but felt much better when we made it back to the first floor.
However, this usage of “nauseous” meaning “feeling queasy” began to appear in the middle of the 19th century. Before that, “nauseous” was traditionally used to mean “causing nausea” (for example, an overflowing bin of garbage probably has a nauseous smell). When used in this sense, “nauseous” has the same meaning as “nauseating.”
I vowed never to endure another nauseous boat ride.
It was a nauseous, albeit quicker, route.
Today, it’s extremely common to use “nauseous” when describing how someone feels. Although a grammar enthusiast may correct this usage, what’s important is that you stick to one usage of the word in your writing to avoid confusion. You can also try QuillBot’s Paraphraser to find alternatives for “nauseous” and better express your meaning.
Nauseated meaning
“Nauseated” also has two different meanings. It can be used as an adjective that describes someone as feeling ill in their stomach (as if they were going to vomit). For example, some people feel nauseated after watching horror movies.
Because I felt nauseated, I couldn’t go to the party as I had wanted to.
Lola said she was nauseated and asked if she could go home early.
“Nauseated” also functions as the simple past tense and past participle of the verb “nauseate,” which refers to the action of causing someone to feel queasy or nauseous.
The unexpected turbulence nauseated many of the passengers.
Her constant lying had nauseated him to the point where he could no longer trust her.
Frequently asked questions about nauseous vs nauseated
- What is the definition of nautious?
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Nautious is an incorrect spelling of nauseous, which means “feeling queasy or likely to vomit.”
However, it’s important to note that traditionally, “nauseous” was used to describe something that caused nausea, like a putrid smell.
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you avoid spelling errors like “nautious” and more. Try it today.
- What’s the difference between queasy and nauseous?
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Queasy and nauseous are often used interchangeably to describe feeling sick to one’s stomach (e.g., “I feel queasy” or “I feel nauseous”).
However, nauseous can also mean “causing nausea,” while queasy typically only refers to the feeling of sickness or unease.
QuillBot’s Paraphraser can make sure you get your word choice, tone, and style just right. Try it today!
