anorexia nervosa

American  

[an-uh-rek-see-uh nur-voh-suh] / ˌæn əˈrɛk si ə nɜrˈvoʊ sə /

noun

Psychiatry.

1. an eating disorder primarily affecting adolescent girls and young women, characterized by pathological fear of becoming fat, distorted body image, excessive dieting, and emaciation.

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anorexia nervosa Scientific  

/ nûr-vō′sə /

1. An eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image, fear of becoming obese, persistent aversion to food, and severe weight loss and malnutrition. It most commonly affects teenage girls and young women, who often develop amenorrhea, osteoporosis and other abnormalities.

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anorexia nervosa Cultural  

1. A psychosomatic disorder in which the sufferer refuses to eat and undertakes activities (such as self-induced vomiting) to bring about extreme weight loss. Anorexia, which is also characterized by a distorted self-image, occurs most often in young women aged twelve to twenty-one and may result in death if medical treatment is not obtained. Treatment for anorexia often includes extensive counseling to reveal underlying emotional problems.

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Etymology

Origin of anorexia nervosa

First recorded in 1870–75; from New Latin: “nervous anorexia”

Compare meaning

How does anorexia-nervosa compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anorexia vs. anorexia nervosa

Example Sentences

Two years after Mary-Kate Olsen checked herself into rehab for anorexia nervosa, eating disorders turned a hypercritical eye toward every young starlet.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

He was also the first designer to ban underweight models from the runway, after the death of model Ana Carolina Reston in 2006 from anorexia nervosa.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

In seventh grade, Olivia was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and referred to an eating disorder treatment program.

From Slate • Jan. 4, 2025

In fact, until 2013, the loss of menstruation had long been considered an official symptom of anorexia nervosa.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024

A peculiar type of anorexia is that striking and remarkable digestive disturbance of hysteria which Sir William Gull has called anorexia nervosa.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)