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noun

anorexia

an-uh-REK-see-uh

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Anorexia (noun) means Loss of appetite, especially as a result of illness. Example: “The medication caused anorexia as a side effect.”

noun

1

Loss of appetite, especially as a result of illness.

"The medication caused anorexia as a side effect."

"Anorexia was one of the first symptoms doctors noted in her illness."

"Persistent anorexia during recovery worried the nursing staff."

How to use anorexia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn its core medical sense, anorexia simply means losing your appetite.

When to use it

Anorexia is a clinical term, used mainly in medical contexts rather than casual speech.

Memory tip

Keep the general medical term anorexia, meaning loss of appetite, separate in your mind from anorexia nervosa, the specific eating disorder.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

anorexia nervosa

Common pairings

loss of appetite anorexia caused by illness symptoms include anorexia persistent anorexia

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “anorexia” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The medication caused _____ as a side effect.

Etymology

Anorexia is a learned borrowing from Ancient Greek, built from a prefix meaning not together with a word for yearning or appetite, plus a suffix that turns it into an abstract noun. Together the parts literally describe an absence of appetite.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for anorexia

IA Odia aria Asia India Syria Bahia mania Latvia acacia Zambia Russia

See all rhymes for anorexia →

Frequently asked questions

What does anorexia mean medically?

In medicine it simply means a loss of appetite, especially when caused by disease.

Is anorexia the same as anorexia nervosa?

Not formally. Anorexia on its own is the medical term for loss of appetite, though people sometimes use it informally as a shorter way of saying anorexia nervosa, the eating disorder.

What usually causes anorexia?

It is especially associated with illness or disease affecting the body, rather than being a condition on its own.

What is the meaning of anorexia?

"anorexia" (noun) means loss of appetite, especially as a result of illness.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial