anorexic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​orex·​ic ˌa-nə-ˈrek-sik 

1

: anorectic

2

: relating to, characteristic of, or affected with anorexia nervosa

also : seemingly affected with anorexia nervosa as by being excessively skinny

anorexic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with or as if with anorexia nervosa

Examples of anorexic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At once too frigid and too promiscuous within the terms of early psychoanalysis, the anorexic woman’s appetites (or lack thereof) were a threat to the cultural order. —Anna Shechtman, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024

From much of the plaza, yet another anorexic supertall for squillionaires, rising at 29th Street, now blots it out. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2023

Noun

Let’s get rid of Infirmary Feminism, with its bedlam of bellyachers, anorexics, bulimics, depressives, rape victims and incest survivors. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

anorexic

adjective

an·​orex·​ic

ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sik

: affected with anorexia nervosa

Medical Definition

anorexic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​orex·​ic -ˈrek-sik 

1

: anorectic sense 1a

2

: relating to, characteristic of, or affected with anorexia nervosa

anorexic

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with anorexia nervosa