malnourished

[mal-nur-isht, -nuhr-]

adjective

1. poorly or improperly nourished; suffering from malnutrition.

   thin, malnourished victims of the famine.

malnourished

/ mælˈnʌrɪʃt /

adjective

1. undernourished

Word History and Origins

Origin of malnourished¹

First recorded in 1925–30; mal- + nourish + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The cubs, which were found malnourished earlier this year, were trapped by the UC Davis California Carnivores Program and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to the San Diego Humane Society.

From Los Angeles Times

When authorities found the malnourished horse, he had so little body fat that his hip bone poked through his skin, which made it painful to lie on his side.

From Los Angeles Times

"I took him to a clinic where they told me he's malnourished, but I don't have the money to keep taking him there," she says.

From BBC

When health experts used to refer to malnourished children, that was often read as those who were underweight.

From BBC

Dr Anand said surgery could not be performed immediately as the baby was dehydrated, malnourished and first had to be stabilised.

From BBC

Related Words

• dehydrated www.thesaurus.com
• dying 
• emaciated 
• hungry 
• undernourished