bulimia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Medical, clinical, academic, formal
Quick answer
What does “bulimia” mean?
An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use.
In a broader, non-clinical sense, can refer to an insatiable appetite or excessive consumption of something, though this usage is rare and often metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in medical and psychological discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bulimia” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/suffers from bulimia.[Patient] was diagnosed with bulimia.[Treatment] is for bulimia.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bulimia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bulimic patient
- Bulimic behaviors
American English
- The bulimic client
- Bulimic tendencies
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in psychology, medicine, and health science papers discussing eating disorders.
Everyday
Used in serious conversations about health, mental well-being, and personal struggles.
Technical
The precise clinical term within psychiatry and clinical psychology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bulimia”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bulimia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bulimia”
- Misspelling as 'boulimia' or 'bullimia'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'overeating' or 'gluttony', which is incorrect and insensitive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are distinct eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa primarily involves restrictive eating and severe weight loss, while bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating and purging/compensatory behaviors, often at a normal weight.
Yes, although it is more commonly diagnosed in women, bulimia nervosa affects people of all genders.
'Nervosa' is a Latin-derived term meaning 'of the nerves' or 'nervous', indicating its classification as a mental or psychiatric disorder.
No. While self-induced vomiting is a common purging method, other compensatory behaviors include misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting, or excessive exercise.
An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative use.
Bulimia is usually medical, clinical, academic, formal in register.
Bulimia: in British English it is pronounced /bʊˈlɪm.i.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /bʊˈlɪm.i.ə/ or /bjʊˈlɪm.i.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BULImia' as involving a 'BULk' of food consumed, followed by the urge to get rid of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS A MONSTER/CONTROLLING FORCE (e.g., 'bulimia controlled her life').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of bulimia nervosa?