anorexic

American  

[an-uh-rek-sik] / ˌæn əˈrɛk sɪk /

noun

1. a person who has or experiences anorexia or especially anorexia nervosa.

---

adjective

1. relating to, resembling, or affected by anorexia.

2. anorectic.

Etymology

Origin of anorexic

First recorded in 1960–65; anorex(ia) + -ic

Explanation

A disorder that causes loss of appetite or an obsession with losing weight is called anorexia. People who suffer from anorexia restrict their food and often have elaborate rituals around preparing it. Though most people think of the mental disorder known as anorexia nervosa when they hear the word anorexia, it actually describes the lack of appetite that's caused by any illness, mental or physical. The word has had this meaning in English since the 16th century, from the Greek anorexia, with its roots of an-, "without," and orexis, "appetite" or "desire."

Example Sentences

It can prohibit doctors “from telling an anorexic patient to eat less” while allowing them to recommend eating more.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

“Being broke and homeless and friendless and jobless and foodless and anorexic — it was not a vibe.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2024

From much of the plaza, yet another anorexic supertall for squillionaires, rising at 29th Street, now blots it out.

From New York Times • Oct. 25, 2023

Does that mean that if your daughter plays with Disney princesses at three she'll be anorexic at 15?

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2022

She’s anorexic and probably doesn’t weigh more than ninety pounds.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez