underweight

noun

un·der·weight | \ ˌən-dər-ˈwāt

Definition of underweight

(Entry 1 of 2)

: weight below normal, average, or requisite weight

underweight

adjective

Definition of underweight (Entry 2 of 2)

: weighing less than the normal or requisite amount

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about underweight

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Synonyms & Antonyms for underweight

Synonyms: Adjective

featherlight, feathery, light, lightweight, weightless

Antonyms: Adjective

heavy, hefty, leaden, overweight, ponderous, weighty

Examples of underweight in a Sentence

Adjective

the long illness left him frail and underweight

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

On Tuesday, Snapchat's lead underwriter Morgan Stanley downgraded Snap from equal weight to underweight and cut its price target to $16 from $28. — Krishna Thakker, Fortune, "Here’s How Many Billions Evan Spiegel Has Lost Since Snap’s IPO," 12 July 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Some of them are expensive coffee-table books that weigh about 6 pounds—that’s the weight of a slightly underweight newborn. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Sorry Marie Kondo—I Love Mess!," 12 Feb. 2019 More: The animals were unhealthy, many of them matted and underweight. — Deasia Paige, Detroit Free Press, "'Hobby breeder' made 108 animals live in feces in Washtenaw Co. home," 22 June 2018 Authorities said despite the boy being underweight, the rest of the family appeared well-fed. — Benjamin Brown, Fox News, "Emaciated teen living in barn was 'within a week of death,' authorities say," 20 July 2018 The latest report found that mothers in India were more likely to deliver underweight babies in households that used wood or dung as cooking fuel. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Why India’s air pollution is so horrendous," 31 Oct. 2018 The children ages 2 to 29 were mostly pale and severely underweight, they hadn't bathed for months and the house reeked of human waste. — Brian Melley, Fox News, "Prosecutor: Abused kids upbringing like 'Lord of the Flies'," 22 June 2018 As the adoption dragged on, Boyle said Ngoty was severely underweight, with fever, mouth sores and a fungal rash on her scalp. — Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post, "She coached her team to the NCAA tournament. Then she quit, for her daughter.," 28 Mar. 2018 At the time, ranchers were required to remove any dead animals and undertake just one additional preventive measure from a menu of options, which could be as basic as not turning out to pasture underweight calves that could be easier targets. — New York Times, "Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf Scientist?," 5 July 2018 His German shepherd Nala was found abandoned and severely underweight in an apartment in Azusa after the residents left. — Hillary Davis, latimes.com, "Coming to the rescue: Newport resident’s dog food company starts nonprofit to get homeless dogs veterinary care," 7 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'underweight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of underweight was in 1596

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More Definitions for underweight

underweight

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of underweight

: weighing less than the normal or expected amount : too light

See the full definition for underweight in the English Language Learners Dictionary

underweight

adjective

un·der·weight | \ ˌən-dər-ˈwāt

Kids Definition of underweight

: weighing less than what is normal, average, or necessary

underweight

adjective

un·der·weight | \ -ˈwāt

Medical Definition of underweight

: 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