UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈhɛlθi/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈhɛlθi/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(hel′thē)
Medicinepossessing or enjoying good health or a sound and vigorous mentality:a healthy body; a healthy mind.
Medicinepertaining to or characteristic of good health, or a sound and vigorous mind:a healthy appearance; healthy attitudes.
conducive to good health; healthful:healthy recreations.
prosperous or sound:a healthy business.
Informal Termsfairly large:I bought a healthy number of books.
health + -y1 1545–55
health′i•ly, adv. health′i•ness, n.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged hale, hearty, robust.
3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged nutritious, nourishing. Healthy,healthful,salutary,wholesome refer to the promotion of health. Healthy, while applied esp. to what possesses health, is also applicable to what is conducive to health:a healthy climate; not a healthy place to be.Healthful is applied chiefly to what is conducive to health:healthful diet or exercise.Salutary suggests something that is conducive to well-being generally, as well as beneficial in preserving or in restoring health:salutary effects; to take salutary measures.It is used also to indicate moral benefit:to have a salutary fear of devious behavior.Wholesome has connotations of attractive freshness and purity; it applies to what is good for one, physically, morally, or both:wholesome food; wholesome influences or advice.