Underweight - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Underweight describes a person or animal weighing less than the healthy or expected range for their height and age. It can also refer to insufficient allocation in investments.
Definition:
Weighing less than the normal or healthy amount for one's age, height, or build.
Synonyms:
undernourished, skinny, scrawny, gaunt
Part of Speech:
adjective, noun
Antonyms:
overweight, obese
Common Collocations:
underweight baby, underweight child, underweight patient
Derivatives:
underweighted (rare), underweightness (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "underweight" to describe someone or something below the expected weight range, often in medical or nutritional contexts.
Common Phrases:
underweight for age, clinically underweight, severely underweight
Etymology:
Derived from "under-" (below) + "weight," first recorded in the early 19th century.
Examples:
- 1. The doctor said the puppy was underweight and needed special food.
- 2. Many athletes avoid being underweight to maintain peak performance.
- 3. Her BMI indicated she was slightly underweight for her height.
- 4. Underweight newborns often require extra care in the hospital.