Definition

A serious eating disorder where a person eats a lot of food in a short time and then feels guilty, often making themselves vomit or use laxatives to avoid gaining weight.

Example

She struggled with bulimia for several years before seeking help.

Conversation

I read an article about bulimia last night, and it really shocked me.

Yeah, it's a serious issue that affects a lot of people.

It made me think about how important it is to support friends who might be struggling.

Absolutely, sometimes just being there for someone can make a big difference.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bulimia is formed from "bous" (meaning ox) and "limos" (meaning hunger or famine) in Greek. The term originally referred to a ravenous appetite, often associated with the behavior of eating large amounts of food followed by purging.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for ox ('bous') to remember that bulimia relates to a strong hunger or appetite, often leading to excessive eating.

Visually Confused Words