: weighing less than the normal or requisite amount
Synonyms
Examples of underweight in a Sentence
Adjective
the long illness left him frail and underweight
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
That is the largest underweight position for currency compared with stocks since at least 2001, when the survey began, the firm said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
He was dehydrated, anemic, severely underweight and suffering from ear infections in both ears and a skin infection, the rescue said in a news release.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Felines who are underweight or overweight are more exposed to health issues such as malnutrition, diabetes, or joint issues.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underweight 
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Adjective
Character imbalances also explain the dysfunctional nature of many systems, whether organizations, sectors, or cultures, that have tended to overweight some character dimensions (e.g. drive) and underweight others (e.g. humanity).
—Mary Crossan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
That is the largest underweight position for currency compared with stocks since at least 2001, when the survey began, the firm said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
He was dehydrated, anemic, severely underweight and suffering from ear infections in both ears and a skin infection, the rescue said in a news release.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Felines who are underweight or overweight are more exposed to health issues such as malnutrition, diabetes, or joint issues.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for underweight
Dictionary Entries Near underweight
Cite this Entry
“Underweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underweight. Accessed 1 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
underweight
adjective
un·der·weight
-ˈwāt 
: weighing less than the normal amount for one's age, height, and build
underweight children
underweight adults typically have a body mass index of less than 18.5
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