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.

Adjective

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