underweight

1 of 2

noun

un·​der·​weight ˌən-dər-ˈwāt How to pronounce underweight (audio)
: weight below normal, average, or requisite weight

underweight

2 of 2

adjective

: weighing less than the normal or requisite amount

Examples of underweight in a Sentence

Adjective the long illness left him frail and underweight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
One area investors are underweight on is clean technology. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025 For example, reward systems often overweight drive and underweight temperance, with a focus on results at any cost. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 People are considered underweight if their BMI is lower than 18.5. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 June 2025 The cat was discovered when the container was opened in Oakdale, Minnesota, extremely dehydrated and dangerously underweight, but miraculously alive! See how this courageous cat survived trip from China to Minnesota below. Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underweight

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underweight was in 1596

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Underweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underweight. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

underweight

adjective
un·​der·​weight
ˌən-dər-ˈwāt
: weighing less than what is normal, average, or necessary

Medical Definition

underweight

adjective
un·​der·​weight -ˈwāt How to pronounce underweight (audio)
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!