Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or suffering from anaemia: Pertaining to a medical condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood, leading to reduced oxygen transport.
   • Lacking in colour, spirit, vitality, or force: Used figuratively to describe something that is weak, pale, feeble, or lacking in energy, substance, or intensity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Medical):
  • The patient felt tired and dizzy because she was anaemic.
  • An anaemic condition can be caused by iron deficiency.
• Adjective (Figurative):
  • The team's performance was anaemic, lacking any real attacking threat.
  • He gave an anaemic apology that failed to convince anyone.

Advanced Usage

• "anaemic growth": Used in economics or business to describe very weak or insufficient growth.
  • The latest report shows anaemic growth in the retail sector this quarter.
• "anaemic-looking": Describing a pale or weak appearance, often linking the physical and figurative senses.
  • The anaemic-looking plant needed more sunlight and nutrients.

Variants and Related Words

• Anaemia (noun): The medical condition itself.
  • She was diagnosed with anaemia.
• Anaemically (adverb): In a weak or feeble manner.
  • The economy is recovering anaemically.

Synonyms

• Medical sense: Bloodless, iron-deficient.
• Figurative sense: Feeble, weak, pallid, lacklustre, insipid, wan.

Antonyms

• Medical sense: Healthy, red-blooded.
• Figurative sense: Robust, vigorous, strong, dynamic, vibrant.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To be/look anaemic": Often used directly to describe a person's pale appearance or a thing's weak state.
  • After being ill for a week, he looked quite anaemic.
  • The company's profits are looking anaemic this year.

Adjective

1. lacking vigor or energy
   • an anemic attempt to hit the baseball
2. relating to anemia or suffering from anemia