Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Suffering from anorexia nervosa: Describes a person who has the medical condition characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to severe food restriction.
   • Pathologically thin: Describes an extremely, often dangerously, low body weight or emaciated appearance, typically as a result of anorexia nervosa.

2. Noun:

   • A person suffering from anorexia nervosa: Refers to an individual diagnosed with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The doctor was concerned about her anorexic patient's declining health.
  • He appeared dangerously anorexic after months of extreme dieting.

• Noun:

  • The support group provides a safe space for anorexics to share their experiences.
  • As a recovered anorexic, she now advocates for better mental health resources.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical vs. Colloquial Use: In medical contexts, "anorexic" is a clinical descriptor. Colloquially, it is sometimes used incorrectly to simply mean "very thin," which can be insensitive and inaccurate.
  • The journalist was criticized for using the term 'anorexic' to describe a model's runway look, trivializing a serious illness.

Variants and Related Words

• Anorexia (n): The eating disorder anorexia nervosa.
  • She was diagnosed with anorexia.
• Anorectic (adj/n): A less common variant with the same meaning as "anorexic."
  • The anorectic symptoms were carefully monitored.

Synonyms

• Adjective (for the state of being extremely thin): Emaciated, gaunt, cachectic.
• Noun (for a person with the disorder): Person with anorexia, individual suffering from anorexia nervosa.

Important Notes on Usage

• Sensitivity: The term "anorexic" refers to a serious mental and physical health condition. It should be used with care and accuracy, not as a casual synonym for "thin" or "slim."
• Person-First Language: In supportive or clinical contexts, person-first language (e.g., "a person with anorexia") is often preferred to emphasize that the individual is not defined by their illness. However, "anorexic" as a noun is still in common use.
  • Many health organizations encourage referring to "a person with anorexia" rather than "an anorexic."

Adjective

1. suffering from anorexia nervosa; pathologically thin

Noun

1. a person suffering from anorexia nervosa