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# indisposed

adjective

«indisposed» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal, euphemism) Slightly ill, so not able to come or work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#m1)
2. (formal) Not willing to do something, as in «indisposed to help». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#m2)

### In the lessons

A polite, formal way of saying someone is ill or unavailable: «The singer is indisposed tonight». It is often a euphemism, so the reason is kept private. In old stories servants say «Her Ladyship is indisposed». Sense 2 is rare and very formal.

### Examples

- The head teacher is indisposed today, so the deputy will take assembly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x1)
- The opera singer was indisposed, and her understudy sang instead. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x2)
- «Mr Toad is indisposed and cannot see visitors,» said the butler. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x3)
- Grandma felt indisposed after the long journey. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x4)
- He was indisposed to lend us his bike. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x5)
- The captain was indisposed with a cold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/#x6)

### Note

Formal and polite. Noun: indisposition. Not the same as «disposed» (willing). Everyday: unwell, poorly (UK), sick (US). «Indisposed» hides the details, so it is used for privacy.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «indisposed» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/indisposed/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«indisposed» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/indisposed.html) on Mova free.