anorexic

UK: /ænəˈrɛksɪk/ US: /ˌænəˈrɛksɪk/ ,(an′ə rek′sik)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•o•rex•ic /ˌænəˈrɛksɪk/  adj. Also, an•o•rec•tic /ˌænəˈrɛktɪk/.  

1. having the disorder of anorexia.

n. [countable]

2. a person who suffers from anorexia.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•o•rex•ic  (an′ə rek′sik), n. 

1. Psychiatry a person suffering from anorexia or esp. anorexia nervosa.

adj. 

2. Psychiatry, Pathology, Drugs anorectic.

• anorex(ia) + -ic 1960–65

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•o•rex•i•a /ˌænəˈrɛksiə/   n. [uncountable]

1. Psychiatry an eating disorder in which the victim suffers from a fear of being fat and so diets too much to become unhealthily thin.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•o•rec•tic  (an′ə rek′tik), adj. 

1. Pathology Also, an′o•rec′tous. having no appetite.
2. Pathology causing a loss of appetite.

n. 

3. Drugs an anorectic substance, as a drug; anorexiant.

Also, an•o•ret•ic  (an′ə ret′ik), anorexic. 

• an-¹ + orectic 1895–1900

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

an•o•rex•i•a  (an′ə rek′sē ə), n. 

1. Psychiatry, Pathology loss of appetite and inability to eat.
2. Psychiatry See anorexia nervosa. 

• Greek, equivalent. to an- an-¹ + órex(is) longing (oreg- reach after + -sis -sis) + -ia -ia
• Neo-Latin
• 1590–1600

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

anorexia / ˌænɒˈrɛksɪə/ noun

1. loss of appetite
2. Also called: anorexia nervosa / nɜːˈvəʊsə/ a mental health condition characterized by fear of gaining weight, often leading to refusal of food and an excessive desire to exercise

Etymology: 17th Century: via New Latin from Greek, from an- + orexis appetite

ˌanoˈrectic, ˌanoˈrexic adjective , noun