bigorexia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareClinical, Psychological, Informal/Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “bigorexia” mean?
A psychological disorder characterized by a distorted body image in which a person perceives themselves as insufficiently muscular, leading to obsessive behaviours to increase muscle mass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A psychological disorder characterized by a distorted body image in which a person perceives themselves as insufficiently muscular, leading to obsessive behaviours to increase muscle mass.
Colloquially, it can refer to an unhealthy obsession with becoming more muscular, often involving excessive exercise, strict dieting, and sometimes the use of supplements or steroids. The term is also known as muscle dysmorphia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The clinical term 'muscle dysmorphia' is equally used in both regions.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in informal/popular media contexts. In clinical settings, 'muscle dysmorphia' is preferred in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects; slightly higher awareness in fitness/gym subcultures.
Grammar
How to Use “bigorexia” in a Sentence
[Person] has/suffers from bigorexia.Bigorexia is characterized by [obsessive behaviour].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bigorexia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He seems to be bigorexing himself into an early grave with that steroid cycle.
- Some young men in the gym culture are clearly bigorexing.
American English
- He's bigorexing hard, spending four hours a day lifting and never satisfied.
- The trainer warned about the risks of bigorexing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific contexts like health/fitness marketing or wellness industry discussions.
Academic
Used in psychology, psychiatry, and sports science literature, though 'muscle dysmorphia' is the more standard academic term.
Everyday
Used informally in discussions about fitness, body image, and mental health, particularly among gym-goers.
Technical
A clinical descriptor within mental health and behavioural studies, often within the field of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bigorexia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bigorexia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bigorexia”
- Confusing it with general fitness enthusiasm. It specifically involves a distorted self-perception and significant distress/impairment.
- Using it as a casual synonym for 'wanting to get bigger'.
- Misspelling as 'bigorexi*a*' (correct: bigorexi*a*).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Bigorexia itself is not a formal diagnosis in manuals like the DSM-5. It is a colloquial term for a recognized condition called 'muscle dysmorphia,' which is a subtype of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
It is most commonly reported among men, particularly those involved in weightlifting, bodybuilding, and fitness cultures, though it can affect anyone.
Key signs include a preoccupation with being not muscular enough, excessive time spent lifting weights, strict and often extreme dieting, social impairment due to gym schedule, frequent body checking, and potential use of anabolic steroids or supplements.
Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address the distorted body image and compulsive behaviours. Antidepressants like SSRIs may also be prescribed, especially if linked to anxiety or depression.
A psychological disorder characterized by a distorted body image in which a person perceives themselves as insufficiently muscular, leading to obsessive behaviours to increase muscle mass.
Bigorexia is usually clinical, psychological, informal/colloquial in register.
Bigorexia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡəˈrɛksɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡəˈrɛksiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chasing the pump (related concept in bodybuilding)”
- “A slave to the mirror (descriptive phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'big' + 'anorexia' = an obsession with being 'big'/muscular, similar to how anorexia involves an obsession with being thin.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A PROJECT (to be built/ sculpted). MIND IS A DISTORTED MIRROR.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a core feature of bigorexia?