# anorexic

/ˌænɝˈɛksɪk/ (US) · /ˌænɔːɹˈɛksɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anorexic
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a person who has an eating disorder and is very underweight because they refuse to eat enough food.

For teachers: a person suffering from anorexia nervosa, characterized by an obsessive fear of gaining weight and a refusal to maintain a healthy body mass index.

## Examples

- The clinic provides specialized care for anorexic patients.
- Medical professionals must approach an anorexic patient with extreme care to avoid triggering a refusal to eat.
- The documentary follows the recovery journey of an anorexic individual, highlighting the psychological and physiological challenges involved in restoring a healthy relationship with food.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.