malnourished

adjective

mal·​nour·​ished ˌmal-ˈnər-isht 

-ˈnə-risht

: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition

When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.

—Maria Konnikova

especially : undernourished sense 1

How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave?

—Melissa Hendricks

Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth …

—Laura Landro

Examples of malnourished in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Across the flood zone, the number of people who are critically malnourished has increased dramatically over the last few years, according to data used by WFP. —Chico Harlan, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023

Hodeida, Yemen There are never enough hospital beds for all the malnourished children across this poor and parched province. —Kareem Fahim, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023

The zoo allegedly housed animals in small enclosures and failed to properly feed and clean them, leaving them malnourished and hobbled by various injuries and behavioral tics. —Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2023

The arrest came after her malnourished son escaped out a window and ran to a nearby house for help, authorities said. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023

One of Franke’s other children was found in similar malnourished condition at Hildebrandt’s home. —Angela Yang, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023

Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested last week after Franke's malnourished son ran to a neighbor's house asking for help, authorities said. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2023

Empty plates and malnourished minds have no place anywhere–and especially in the workplace. —Dilip Rao, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2023

Both Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested after Franke's malnourished son ran to a neighbor's house asking for food and water, authorities said. —Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

malnourished

adjective

mal·​nour·​ished (ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht 

-ˈnə-risht

: poorly nourished : undernourished

Medical Definition

malnourished

adjective

mal·​nour·​ished (ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht 

: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition

When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.

—Maria Konnikova

especially : undernourished

How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave?

—Melissa Hendricks

Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth …

—Laura Landro