underweight

/'ʌndə'weit/
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Thân thiện
underweight

A doctor checks the weight of an underweight child during a routine checkup.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Below a normal, healthy, or required weight: Describes a person, animal, or sometimes an object that weighs less than what is considered standard, desirable, or healthy for their height, age, or type.
    • Having insufficient weight: Often implies a condition of being too thin or lean, potentially due to health issues, malnutrition, or natural build.
Usage
  • The term is commonly used in medical, health, and nutritional contexts to describe a body mass index (BMI) below the healthy range.
  • It can describe objects in financial or technical contexts (e.g., an underweight portfolio), but the primary and most frequent usage pertains to physical weight.
  • It is often used with the verb 'to be' (is/are/was underweight) or as a modifier before a noun.
Examples
  • Adjective:
    • The doctor said the puppy was underweight and needed a special diet.
    • Children in the famine-affected region were severely underweight.
    • He has always been naturally slim, but not underweight.
Advanced Usage
  • Financial Context: In investment terminology, 'underweight' means to allocate a smaller percentage of a portfolio to a particular asset, sector, or region than is represented in a benchmark index.
    • The fund manager is underweight in technology stocks this quarter.
Variants and Related Words
  • Underweight (noun): The condition or fact of being underweight. (Less common)
    • The underweight of the package was noted by the shipping clerk.
  • Underweighted (adjective): Sometimes used as a past participle, especially in technical/financial contexts.
    • The portfolio was underweighted in bonds.
Synonyms
  • Underweight (adj): Thin, skinny, scrawny, undernourished, emaciated, slight, lightweight.
Antonyms
  • Overweight, obese, heavy, hefty.
Related Phrases/Idioms
  • To be underweight for one's age/height: A standard phrase used in health assessments.
    • The growth chart showed the infant was underweight for her age.
  • Underweight status: A formal term for the condition.
    • The program aims to reduce underweight status among children.
underweight

A doctor checks the weight of an underweight child during a routine checkup.

Adjective
  1. being very thin
    • a child with skinny freckled legs
    • a long scrawny neck

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