anorexic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​orex·​ic ˌa-nə-ˈrek-sik How to pronounce anorexic (audio)
Synonyms of anorexicnext
1
2
: relating to, characteristic of, or affected with anorexia nervosa
also : seemingly affected with anorexia nervosa as by being excessively skinny

anorexic

2 of 2

noun

: a person affected with or as if with anorexia nervosa

Examples of anorexic in a Sentence

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
In 2022, Austrian director Marie Kreutzer released Corsage, the excellent feminist re-reading of the life of 19th century Empress Elizabeth, known as Sissi, with Vicki Krieps as the eccentric, anorexic empress and Florian Teichtmeister as her philandering husband, Franz Joseph I. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 15 May 2026 His maternal grandmother was anorexic. Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026 When Klara ends up in the local hospital’s anorexic ward, David and Laura must resort to even more desperate measures, which paradoxically help thaw out their own emotional cold war. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025 Other folks smight only have enough space for a pair of anorexic goats. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anorexic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

anorexia + -ic entry 1

Noun

derivative of anorexic entry 1, in part after French anorexique

First Known Use

Adjective

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anorexic was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anorexic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anorexic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

anorexic

adjective
an·​orex·​ic
ˌan-ə-ˈrek-sik
: affected with anorexia nervosa

Medical Definition

anorexic

1 of 2 adjective
an·​orex·​ic -ˈrek-sik How to pronounce anorexic (audio)
1
2
: relating to, characteristic of, or affected with anorexia nervosa

anorexic

2 of 2 noun
: a person affected with anorexia nervosa

More from Merriam-Webster on anorexic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster