Definition

A serious eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading to self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Example

She was diagnosed with anorexia after her friends noticed her drastic weight loss and refusal to eat.

Conversation

I read an article about anorexia and its effects on health.

That's such a serious issue; it’s really concerning.

Yeah, it made me realize how important it is to support those who struggle with anorexia.

Definitely, having a good support system can make a huge difference.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Anorexia is formed from "an-" (meaning without) and "orexis" (from Greek "orexis", meaning appetite or desire). The word describes a condition characterized by a lack of appetite or desire to eat.

Memory Tip

Think of 'without' ('an-') appetite ('orexis') to remember that anorexia refers to a lack of desire to eat.

Visually Confused Words