anorexia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

In common usage, they are synonymous. Technically, 'anorexia' can mean loss of appetite from any cause (e.g., illness), while 'anorexia nervosa' is the specific psychiatric diagnosis. In practice, 'anorexia' almost always refers to the latter.

Yes, when used clinically or descriptively (e.g., 'anorexic patient', 'anorexic behaviour'). It is highly offensive to use it as a noun to label a person ('an anorexic') or as a casual synonym for 'thin'.

Yes. While more commonly diagnosed in women, anorexia nervosa affects people of all genders. Approximately 25% of cases are male.

Yes, full recovery is possible with appropriate, sustained treatment, though it can be a long and challenging process. Relapse is a risk, requiring ongoing management.

A mental health condition characterised by an obsessive fear of gaining weight, leading to severely restricted food intake and extreme weight loss.

Anorexia is usually clinical, academic, informal (as part of wider public discourse) in register.

Anorexia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˈrek.si.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.əˈrek.si.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.