Nauseate vs. Nauseous

Attribute	Nauseate	Nauseous
Definition	To cause to feel sick or disgusted	Feeling sick or disgusted
Verb or Adjective	Verb	Adjective
Usage	Used to describe the action of causing nausea	Used to describe the feeling of nausea
Origin	Latin "nauseare"	Latin "nauseosus"

Definition

When discussing the attributes of "nauseate" and "nauseous," it is important to first understand the definitions of each term. "Nauseate" is a verb that means to cause someone to feel sick or disgusted, typically to the point of vomiting. On the other hand, "nauseous" is an adjective that describes the feeling of being sick to one's stomach or experiencing nausea.

Usage

One key difference between "nauseate" and "nauseous" is their usage in sentences. "Nauseate" is typically used as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. For example, one might say, "The smell of rotten eggs nauseated me." On the other hand, "nauseous" is used as an adjective to describe a feeling or state of being. For instance, one might say, "I feel nauseous after eating that expired yogurt."

Subject

Another distinction between "nauseate" and "nauseous" is the subject of the sentence. In sentences using "nauseate," the subject is typically the agent causing the feeling of nausea in someone else. For example, "The roller coaster ride nauseated the young child." In contrast, when using "nauseous," the subject is usually the person experiencing the feeling of nausea. For instance, "I felt nauseous after smelling the spoiled milk."

Intensity

One important aspect to consider when comparing "nauseate" and "nauseous" is the level of intensity conveyed by each term. "Nauseate" tends to imply a more severe feeling of sickness or disgust that may lead to vomiting. It is often used in situations where the feeling of nausea is particularly strong. On the other hand, "nauseous" can describe a milder feeling of queasiness or discomfort in the stomach without necessarily reaching the point of vomiting.

Emotion

Additionally, the emotional connotations of "nauseate" and "nauseous" differ slightly. "Nauseate" often carries a sense of repulsion or disgust, as it is used to describe a feeling that is so unpleasant it may induce physical illness. This word is commonly associated with strong negative emotions. In contrast, "nauseous" is more neutral in its emotional impact, simply describing a physical sensation without necessarily implying any specific emotional response.

Context

Context is another factor to consider when comparing "nauseate" and "nauseous." The choice between these two words often depends on the specific situation being described. "Nauseate" is typically used in situations where the focus is on the action of causing someone to feel sick or disgusted. On the other hand, "nauseous" is used when the emphasis is on the feeling of sickness or discomfort experienced by an individual.

Common Usage

While both "nauseate" and "nauseous" are commonly used in everyday language, they are often used in different contexts. "Nauseate" is frequently used in discussions of food, smells, or other stimuli that can induce feelings of nausea. For example, one might say, "The sight of blood nauseates me." On the other hand, "nauseous" is more commonly used to describe the physical sensation of feeling sick to one's stomach, as in the sentence, "I always feel nauseous when I have to speak in public."

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "nauseate" and "nauseous" are related terms that both describe feelings of sickness or discomfort, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. "Nauseate" is a verb that describes the action of causing someone to feel sick or disgusted, while "nauseous" is an adjective that describes the feeling of being sick to one's stomach. Understanding the differences in usage, subject, intensity, emotion, context, and common usage of these two words can help clarify when to use each term appropriately in writing and conversation.