anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌa-nə-ˈrek-sē-ə 

-ˈrek-shə

1

: loss of appetite especially when prolonged

2

: anorexia nervosa

Examples of anorexia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also been studies, many of which are smaller and more preliminary, showing the benefits of floating for conditions such as insomnia, body image dissatisfaction among people with anorexia, meth dependence and pain intensity, such as the stress placed on the body after a high-impact workout. —Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

Kaelan Lachica suffered from anorexia for nearly a decade but his condition had improved in the year proceeding his hospitalization in August 2025, his father said. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026

Singer Karen Carpenter died of complications from anorexia in 1983. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026

Physically, the condition can be invisible, in contrast to disorders like anorexia — where patients can have a very low body weight and look visibly thin. —Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French anorexie, borrowed from Late Latin anorexia "lack of appetite," borrowed from Greek anorexía, from anórektos "without appetite" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at anorectic entry 1

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing anorexia

• anorexia nervosa

Rhymes for anorexia

• alexia
• cachexia
• dyslexia
• hyperpyrexia

Kids Definition

anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sē-ə 

: anorexia nervosa

Medical Definition

anorexia

noun

an·​orex·​ia ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sē-ə, -ˈrek-shə 

1

: loss of appetite especially when prolonged

2

: anorexia nervosa