bulimia

noun

bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə  byü-  -ˈli- 

1

: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression

called also bulimia nervosa

2

: an abnormal and constant craving for food

bulimic

bü-ˈlē-mik 

byü-

-ˈli- 

adjective or noun

Examples of bulimia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sam talks about finding her gayness in musical theater despite growing up in the South; Acacia talks about her cystic fibrosis; and Arrietty talks about her history with bulimia. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025

Summary While exercise bulimia is not a formal diagnosis, it is recognized as a subtype of bulimia nervosa. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

The criticism led to a struggle with body image and eventually, bulimia. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024

The study did show a reduction in bulimia, or binge-eating with purging, but didn’t contain any information specifically about binge-eating disorder, where people don’t purge, or anorexia, where people restrict calories. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek boulimia great hunger, from bou-, augmentative prefix (from bous head of cattle) + limos hunger — more at cow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

bulimia

noun

bu·​lim·​ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə  byü- 

: a serious eating disorder mainly of young women that is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by intentional vomiting or laxative abuse

bulimic

-ˈlē-mik 

adjective

Medical Definition

bulimia

noun

bu·​lim·​ia byü-ˈlim-ē-ə  bü-  -ˈlē-mē- 

variants also boulimia

bü- 

1

: an abnormal and constant craving for food

called also hyperorexia

2

: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression