Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It can prohibit doctors “from telling an anorexic patient to eat less” while allowing them to recommend eating more.
From Slate ● Mar. 31, 2026
All of my friends are, like, anorexic basically, or have some form of eating disorder, so it’s hard to get people to eat fattening food with me.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 18, 2025
She was anorexic, asthmatic, immunocompromised, and uncoordinated, and her prescription medication was ineffective.
From Salon ● Jun. 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
She’s anorexic and probably doesn’t weigh more than ninety pounds.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
She says she believes the industry "wants functioning anorexics who don't complain".
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2023
She attended group therapy sessions with recovering anorexics.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 28, 2019
“I’ve worked with anorexics who are incredibly thin to the point of needing hospitalization,” she said.
From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2018
Crash-dieting “wannarexics” are shunned out of concern for their safety but also because rejecting them helps “real” anorexics better cultivate a rarified air of tragedy.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2015
“Anorexics are anorexics all the time,” she says.
From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
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