Underweight

/ˈʌndərˌweɪt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Body weight that is considered to be below the normal or healthy range for a person's height and age.

The doctor advised her to gain some weight, as she was clinically underweight.

Having less weight than is normal or required.

The athlete is underweight due to intense training and inadequate calorie intake.

In retail or finance, referring to a position that is smaller than the normal or optimal level.

The portfolio is underweight in technology stocks compared to the market average.

From under- (below) + weight (mass or heaviness)

underweight for age

A medical term indicating a child's weight is insufficient compared to a normal range for their age group.

underweight male/female

Refers specifically to males or females who are below the healthy weight range.

malnutrition

A condition resulting from insufficient or unbalanced nutrient intake leading to underweight.

anemia

A condition often associated with being underweight, where there is a deficiency of red blood cells.

Skinny

He's so skinny, he's basically underweight.

Rail thin

After the diet, she looked rail thin and underweight.