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B1 adjective 9 min read

anorexique

Examples Notes & Tips anorexique in 30 Seconds
Explanation anorexique in your Level:
At the A1 level, you will likely not use the word 'anorexique' in your daily conversations, as it is a specific medical and social term. However, you might encounter it if you read simple news headlines or health posters. At this stage, you should focus on the fact that it describes someone who is very, very thin because of a sickness. You can remember it because it looks very similar to the English word 'anorexic.' You should know that it is an adjective and that it doesn't change between 'he' (il) and 'she' (elle). For example, 'Il est anorexique' and 'Elle est anorexique' are both correct. You might see it in a list of health-related words. It is important to be careful with this word because it is about a serious illness. Don't use it to describe a friend who is just thin; for that, use 'mince.' At A1, the goal is simply to recognize the word and understand its basic meaning in a sentence about health.
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At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe people's physical appearance and health in more detail. You might learn 'anorexique' alongside other adjectives like 'grand' (tall), 'petit' (short), and 'mince' (thin). You should understand that 'anorexique' is much stronger than 'maigre' (skinny). In A2 French, you might encounter this word in a short text about the dangers of social media or in a simple dialogue between a doctor and a patient. You should be able to form basic sentences like 'C'est une maladie grave' (It is a serious illness). You will also learn that the noun for the illness is 'l'anorexie.' It is important to notice that even though it ends in 'e', it is the same for men and women. This is a common feature of many French adjectives ending in 'e' (like 'sympathique' or 'calme'). You should start to feel the difference between describing someone's looks and describing their health status.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex social issues and express your opinion. 'Anorexique' becomes a word you might use when discussing topics like 'la mode' (fashion), 'la santé' (health), or 'les pressions sociales' (social pressures). You should be able to explain what the word means in French: 'C'est une personne qui refuse de manger pour ne pas grossir.' You will also encounter the word in more varied contexts, such as 'le comportement anorexique' (anorexic behavior). At this level, you should be aware of the sensitivity of the word. You might read articles about the 'Loi Mannequin' in France, which forbids 'mannequins anorexiques' from working without a medical certificate. You should be able to use the word in a sentence with adverbs, like 'Elle est devenue dangereusement anorexique.' You are also learning to distinguish between the noun 'une anorexique' and the adjective 'un état anorexique.' Your vocabulary is expanding to include related terms like 'troubles alimentaires.'
At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'anorexique.' You can use it in debates about societal standards of beauty and the psychological aspects of eating disorders. You will recognize it in formal reports, literature, and news analyses. You should understand the metaphorical uses, such as 'une économie anorexique' (a starving or very thin economy), though these are less common. You should also be able to discuss the causes and consequences of being anorexique using complex sentence structures and the subjunctive mood. For example, 'Il est important que la société protège les jeunes qui risquent de devenir anorexiques.' You will also be familiar with the clinical distinction between 'anorexie mentale' (anorexia nervosa) and simple 'anorexie' (loss of appetite). You can participate in a discussion about body positivity and how the media influences 'les tendances anorexiques' in society. Your ability to use the word accurately in both medical and social contexts is key at this level.
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At the C1 level, you are exploring the deeper linguistic and cultural implications of the word 'anorexique.' You might analyze how the term is used in French literature or feminist theory to describe the 'effacement du corps' (erasing of the body). You understand the etymological roots (Greek) and how the word has evolved in French medical discourse since the 19th century. You can use the word with precision in academic writing, distinguishing it from 'la cachexie' or 'le marasme.' You are also aware of the subtle registers of the word; while it is a medical term, its use in social media ('pro-ana' movements) has given it a darker, more subversive connotation that you can analyze. You can write long essays about the ethics of the fashion industry using 'anorexique' as a central theme. You also understand how the word interacts with French law and public policy. Your command of the word allows you to use it in complex, abstract arguments about identity and the body.
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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'anorexique' and its place in the French language. You can use it with perfect precision in any context, from a highly specialized medical symposium to a deep philosophical critique of modern asceticism. You understand the finest nuances, such as the difference between 'un sujet anorexique' in psychoanalytic terms (Lacanian theory, for instance) and a 'patient anorexique' in a clinical setting. You can appreciate and use the word in sophisticated wordplay or high-level journalism. You are aware of the historical shifts in the word's meaning, from a mere symptom of other diseases to a primary psychiatric diagnosis. You can navigate the most sensitive conversations involving this word with total linguistic and cultural competence, knowing exactly when to use it and when to opt for more descriptive or empathetic alternatives. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, reflecting a deep understanding of French social, medical, and legal landscapes.
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Examples Notes & Tips

anorexique in 30 Seconds

  • Anorexique is a French adjective and noun meaning 'anorexic,' describing someone with a serious eating disorder characterized by a refusal to eat.
  • It is an epicene word, meaning the spelling remains the same for both masculine (un homme) and feminine (une femme) subjects.
  • The word is primarily medical and clinical but appears in social debates about fashion, media, and the mental health of teenagers.
  • Care must be taken not to use it as a synonym for 'thin' (mince), as it implies a severe pathological condition.

The French word anorexique is a term that functions as both an adjective and a noun, primarily used to describe someone suffering from anorexia nervosa, a complex eating disorder. In a clinical sense, it refers to the physiological or psychological state of having no appetite or actively refusing food. However, it is crucial to understand that in modern French, the word carries significant weight and should be used with clinical precision or deep empathy rather than as a casual descriptor for thinness. Historically, the term is derived from the Greek 'an-' (without) and 'orexis' (appetite), which literally translates to 'without appetite.' In medical contexts, a doctor might describe a patient as being in an 'état anorexique' to signify a dangerous loss of weight and refusal to eat. In social discourse, the term often appears in discussions regarding the fashion industry, mental health awareness, and the societal pressures placed on body image. Unlike the English word 'anorexic,' which can sometimes be used loosely (though controversially) to mean 'very thin,' the French anorexique is almost always tied to the pathology of the illness. It is not a synonym for 'mince' (thin) or 'maigre' (skinny), and using it to describe someone who is naturally slender can be seen as insensitive or medically inaccurate.

Medical Context
Used by healthcare professionals to diagnose or describe symptoms of anorexia nervosa or symptomatic loss of appetite due to other illnesses like cancer.
Social Context
Discussed in media regarding the health of models or the impact of social media on teenage body dysmorphia.

Le médecin a confirmé que la patiente était devenue gravement anorexique après des mois de privation.

When using this word, one must be aware of the grammatical agreement. Interestingly, anorexique is an epicene word, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine genders. You would say 'un homme anorexique' and 'une femme anorexique' without changing the spelling of the adjective. This simplifies the grammar but does not lessen the intensity of the word's meaning. In the 21st century, France has even passed laws regarding the 'mannequins anorexiques,' requiring models to provide a medical certificate proving they are in good health and not dangerously underweight, which has brought the word into the legal and industrial spotlight. This legislative move highlights how the word is used to define a threshold of health that society deems dangerous.

L'industrie de la mode est souvent critiquée pour promouvoir une esthétique anorexique.

Using anorexique correctly requires an understanding of its placement and its function as both a descriptive adjective and a substantive noun. In French, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. For example, 'un adolescent anorexique' (an anorexic teenager). When used as a noun, it refers to the person directly: 'L'anorexique a besoin d'un suivi psychologique' (The anorexic person needs psychological monitoring). However, modern linguistic sensitivity often prefers 'une personne souffrant d'anorexie' to avoid defining a human being solely by their illness. In academic or medical writing, you will frequently see it paired with verbs like 'devenir' (to become), 'sembler' (to seem), or 'être diagnostiqué' (to be diagnosed). It is also common to see it modified by adverbs to indicate the severity of the condition, such as 'gravement' (severely) or 'dangereusement' (dangerously).

Subject-Verb Agreement
The word remains 'anorexique' regardless of gender. Plural form is 'anorexiques'. Example: 'Elles sont anorexiques.'

Il ne faut pas confondre une personne simplement mince avec une personne anorexique.

In more abstract or metaphorical contexts, though rarer and sometimes controversial, the word can describe things that are 'thin' or 'lacking substance.' For instance, one might hear a critic describe a 'budget anorexique' to imply that the budget is extremely tight or insufficient. This usage is figurative and should be used with caution, as it draws a parallel between a serious illness and a lack of resources. In the context of literature or film analysis, a character's 'corps anorexique' might be discussed to highlight themes of control, disappearance, or societal pressure. It is important to note that the word does not have a comparative form like 'plus anorexique' in a healthy sense; one is either suffering from the condition or they are not, though the degree of physical manifestation can vary.

Les symptômes anorexiques peuvent inclure une peur intense de prendre du poids.

You will encounter the word anorexique in several specific environments in French-speaking countries. The most common is the medical and psychological field. If you are watching a French news report (like on TF1 or France 2) about public health or mental health, this term will appear frequently. France has been at the forefront of the fight against 'pro-ana' websites (sites that promote anorexia), so the word often appears in legal and social debates regarding internet regulation. In schools, 'infirmières scolaires' (school nurses) use the term when discussing eating disorders with students and parents. Furthermore, in the world of high fashion (la haute couture), the term is a point of constant debate. You might hear a commentator say, 'Le milieu de la mode est souvent accusé de glorifier des silhouettes anorexiques,' referring to the thinness of runway models. This has led to the 'Loi Mannequin' in France, which is a common topic in 'culture générale' exams and social discussions.

À la télévision, on parle souvent des dangers des réseaux sociaux pour les jeunes filles anorexiques.

In literature and cinema, the word is used to explore the psychological depths of characters. Films like 'Lily sometimes' or various French documentaries about health often use the term to describe the struggle of the protagonists. It is rarely used in casual, lighthearted conversation because of its heavy medical and emotional connotations. If someone uses it in a cafe, it is likely in the context of a serious discussion about someone they know or a news story they read. Unlike some English slang where 'anorexic' might be thrown around loosely to describe a skinny person, French speakers tend to be more reserved with the term, recognizing it as a 'maladie mentale' (mental illness). You will also find it in scientific journals and health magazines like 'Psychologies Magazine,' where the focus is on recovery and treatment methods.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing anorexique with words that simply describe physical thinness, such as 'mince' (thin) or 'maigre' (skinny/lean). While an anorexic person is often 'maigre,' the word 'anorexique' implies a medical pathology and a psychological disorder. Calling someone 'anorexique' just because they are naturally thin is not only a linguistic error but can also be highly offensive. Another common mistake involves gender agreement. Because the word ends in an 'e' in its base form, many students try to add another 'e' for the feminine or remove the 'e' for the masculine. Remember: it is 'un garçon anorexique' and 'une fille anorexique.' The spelling does not change based on the gender of the subject, only for the number (add an 's' for plural).

Mistake: Over-agreement
Incorrect: une femme anorexiquée. Correct: une femme anorexique.
Mistake: Confusing Noun/Adjective
Incorrect: Elle a anorexique. Correct: Elle est anorexique (adj) or Elle souffre d'anorexie (noun).

Elle est très anorexique (Incorrect usage for 'thin'). Elle est très mince (Correct).

Learners also struggle with the pronunciation of the 'x' followed by 'i.' In French, the 'x' in anorexique is pronounced like 'ks' (a-no-rek-sik). Some might try to pronounce it as a 'z' or a soft 's,' which is incorrect. Furthermore, there is a tendency to use the word as a general synonym for 'not eating.' If someone skips lunch once, they are not 'anorexique.' They are simply 'à jeun' (fasting) or 'ils n'ont pas faim' (they aren't hungry). Using the word too lightly diminishes the gravity of the actual illness. Finally, be careful with the preposition after the noun form; you 'souffre d'anorexie' (suffer from anorexia), you don't 'souffre avec l'anorexie.'

To expand your vocabulary beyond anorexique, it is helpful to know related terms that describe different states of thinness or health. 'Maigre' is the most direct equivalent to 'skinny' or 'underweight,' but it can be derogatory. 'Mince' is the preferred, positive word for 'thin' or 'slender.' If you want to describe someone who is very thin but in a healthy, athletic way, you might use 'svelte.' On the more clinical or extreme side, 'émacié' (emaciated) describes someone who has lost a lot of flesh, often due to hunger or disease, but without the specific psychological connotation of anorexia. 'Squelettique' (skeletal) is a very strong word used to describe someone so thin that their bones are visible, often used in historical or tragic contexts.

Anorexique vs. Maigre
Anorexique implies a mental illness and refusal to eat; Maigre simply describes a low body weight.
Anorexique vs. Émacié
Émacié is purely physical (sunken eyes, visible ribs); Anorexique includes the psychological 'besoin de contrôle'.

Après sa maladie, il paraissait émacié, mais il n'était pas anorexique.

In terms of the disorder itself, you might hear 'troubles des conduites alimentaires' (TCA), which is the broad umbrella term for eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia (boulimie), and binge eating. Using 'TCA' is common in medical and academic settings to be more inclusive of the various manifestations of these conditions. Another related term is 'dénutrition,' which refers to the state of malnutrition resulting from not eating enough, regardless of the cause. Understanding these nuances allows you to speak more accurately about health and the body in French, avoiding the pitfalls of oversimplification.

Fun Fact

While the word existed for centuries to describe a loss of appetite, the term 'anorexie mentale' (anorexia nervosa) was only coined in the late 19th century by physicians like Ernest-Charles Lasègue in France and Sir William Gull in England.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /anɔʁɛksik/
US /ænɔˈrɛksɪk/
In French, the stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'sique'.
Rhymes With
classique magnifique pratique toxique physique musique atypique magique
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'x' as a 'z' (like in 'exemple').
  • Making the 'e' silent or too long.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'k' sound in 'ks'.
  • Nasalizing the 'an' at the beginning (it is not nasal).
  • Adding an extra syllable at the end.
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Examples by Level

1

Elle est anorexique et très malade.

She is anorexic and very sick.

'Anorexique' describes the person's state.

2

Le chat est anorexique, il ne mange pas.

The cat is anorexic; it isn't eating.

Can be used for animals in a medical sense.

3

Est-elle anorexique ?

Is she anorexic?

Simple question structure.

4

Il n'est pas anorexique, il est juste mince.

He is not anorexic; he is just thin.

Contrast between 'anorexique' and 'mince'.

5

Mon amie est anorexique.

My friend is anorexic.

'Amie' is feminine, but 'anorexique' stays the same.

6

C'est un garçon anorexique.

It is an anorexic boy.

Adjective follows the noun.

7

Les personnes anorexiques ont besoin d'aide.

Anorexic people need help.

Plural form adds an 's'.

8

Elle devient anorexique.

She is becoming anorexic.

Use of the verb 'devenir'.

1

Elle semble anorexique depuis quelques mois.

She seems anorexic for a few months now.

'Sembler' is a state verb.

2

L'infirmière pense qu'il est anorexique.

The nurse thinks he is anorexic.

Subordinate clause with 'que'.

3

Elle a un visage anorexique.

She has an anorexic face.

Adjective modifying 'visage'.

4

Beaucoup de mannequins sont trop anorexiques.

Many models are too anorexic.

'Trop' used as an intensifier.

5

Il est devenu anorexique après son régime.

He became anorexic after his diet.

Past tense with 'être'.

6

C'est une maladie anorexique grave.

It is a serious anorexic illness.

Note: usually 'anorexie' is the noun, but 'anorexique' can describe symptoms.

7

Elle ne veut pas être anorexique.

She does not want to be anorexic.

Infinitive after 'vouloir'.

8

Les médecins aident les jeunes anorexiques.

Doctors help anorexic youth.

Noun usage of 'anorexiques'.

1

Le film raconte l'histoire d'une adolescente anorexique.

The movie tells the story of an anorexic teenager.

Complex sentence with relative context.

2

Elle souffre d'un comportement anorexique sévère.

She suffers from severe anorexic behavior.

Adjective modifying 'comportement'.

3

Il est difficile de soigner un patient anorexique.

It is difficult to treat an anorexic patient.

Impersonal 'il est' structure.

4

La mode ne devrait pas encourager l'aspect anorexique.

Fashion should not encourage the anorexic look.

Conditional 'devrait'.

5

Elle a été hospitalisée car elle était devenue anorexique.

She was hospitalized because she had become anorexic.

Plus-que-parfait 'était devenue'.

6

Certains sportifs développent des tendances anorexiques.

Some athletes develop anorexic tendencies.

Plural agreement.

7

Elle cache son corps anorexique sous des vêtements larges.

She hides her anorexic body under baggy clothes.

Preposition 'sous'.

8

L'anorexique refuse souvent de reconnaître sa maladie.

The anorexic person often refuses to recognize their illness.

Substantive noun usage.

1

La loi interdit l'emploi de mannequins dont l'indice de masse corporelle est jugé anorexique.

The law prohibits the employment of models whose BMI is judged anorexic.

Use of 'dont' for possession/relation.

2

Elle a sombré dans un cycle anorexique dont elle ne pouvait sortir.

She sank into an anorexic cycle from which she could not escape.

Metaphorical 'sombrer dans'.

3

L'image de la femme anorexique dans les médias est très critiquée.

The image of the anorexic woman in the media is highly criticized.

Passive voice 'est critiquée'.

4

Il est crucial que nous sensibilisions les jeunes aux dérives anorexiques.

It is crucial that we sensitize young people to anorexic drifts.

Subjunctive 'sensibilisions'.

5

Son allure anorexique inquiétait ses proches au plus haut point.

Her anorexic appearance worried her loved ones to the highest degree.

Subject is 'son allure anorexique'.

6

Bien qu'elle soit anorexique, elle nie avoir un problème avec la nourriture.

Although she is anorexic, she denies having a problem with food.

Conjunction 'bien que' + subjunctive.

7

Le traitement pour une personne anorexique est souvent pluridisciplinaire.

Treatment for an anorexic person is often multidisciplinary.

Technical adjective 'pluridisciplinaire'.

8

Elle lutte contre des pulsions anorexiques depuis son adolescence.

She has been fighting anorexic impulses since her adolescence.

Preposition 'depuis' with present tense.

1

L'esthétique anorexique des années 90, surnommée 'heroin chic', a marqué toute une génération.

The anorexic aesthetic of the 90s, dubbed 'heroin chic', marked an entire generation.

Apposition and historical context.

2

On observe une prévalence accrue de profils anorexiques dans certains milieux compétitifs.

An increased prevalence of anorexic profiles is observed in certain competitive environments.

Formal 'on observe' and 'prévalence'.

3

L'ouvrage analyse la psyché anorexique à travers le prisme de la sociologie moderne.

The book analyzes the anorexic psyche through the prism of modern sociology.

Academic phrasing.

4

La patiente présentait une forme de mélancolie anorexique particulièrement complexe.

The patient presented a particularly complex form of anorexic melancholy.

Clinical description.

5

Elle a développé une rhétorique anorexique pour justifier son refus de s'alimenter.

She developed an anorexic rhetoric to justify her refusal to eat.

Abstract noun 'rhétorique'.

6

Les politiques de santé publique visent à éradiquer l'apologie des comportements anorexiques.

Public health policies aim to eradicate the apology for anorexic behaviors.

Formal vocabulary 'apologie', 'éradiquer'.

7

Il s'agit d'une dérive anorexique qui occulte une souffrance psychique profonde.

It is an anorexic drift that masks deep psychological suffering.

Relative clause with 'qui'.

8

L'artiste explore la fragilité du corps anorexique dans ses dernières sculptures.

The artist explores the fragility of the anorexic body in his latest sculptures.

Artistic context.

1

L'herméneutique du corps anorexique révèle une quête paradoxale de pureté absolue.

The hermeneutics of the anorexic body reveals a paradoxical quest for absolute purity.

High-level philosophical vocabulary.

2

La dématérialisation anorexique du sujet s'inscrit dans une logique de refus du monde marchand.

The anorexic dematerialization of the subject is part of a logic of refusing the commercial world.

Complex abstract subject.

3

On ne saurait réduire la pathologie anorexique à une simple influence médiatique.

One cannot reduce anorexic pathology to a simple media influence.

Formal 'on ne saurait' (cannot).

4

L'ascétisme anorexique, loin d'être un choix délibéré, est le cri d'une âme en détresse.

Anorexic asceticism, far from being a deliberate choice, is the cry of a soul in distress.

Literary style.

5

L'analyse lacanienne de la structure anorexique met en exergue le rapport au 'rien'.

The Lacanian analysis of the anorexic structure highlights the relationship to 'nothing'.

Specialized academic terminology.

6

La symptomatologie anorexique s'avère être un défi constant pour la médecine contemporaine.

Anorexic symptomatology proves to be a constant challenge for contemporary medicine.

Formal verb 's'avérer'.

7

Sous l'apparente fragilité anorexique se cache souvent une volonté de fer mal orientée.

Under the apparent anorexic fragility often hides a misdirected will of iron.

Inversion of subject and verb.

8

L'intertextualité dans les récits de vie anorexiques souligne l'aliénation du moi.

Intertextuality in anorexic life stories underlines the alienation of the self.

Literary theory context.

Common Collocations

Devenir anorexique
Mannequin anorexique
État anorexique
Comportement anorexique
Tendances anorexiques
Silhouette anorexique
Gravement anorexique
Crise anorexique
Profil anorexique
Lutte contre l'anorexie

Common Phrases

Être diagnostiqué anorexique

— To be officially diagnosed with anorexia by a doctor.

Elle a été diagnostiquée anorexique à l'âge de quinze ans.

Souffrir d'un trouble anorexique

— To suffer from an anorexic disorder.

De plus en plus d'hommes souffrent d'un trouble anorexique.

Un régime qui tourne à l'anorexie

— A diet that turns into anorexia.

Faites attention à ce que votre régime ne tourne pas à l'anorexie.

Sortir de l'anorexie

— To recover from anorexia.

Il lui a fallu trois ans pour sortir de l'anorexie.

L'apologie de l'anorexie

— The promotion or glorification of anorexia.

La loi punit l'apologie de l'anorexie sur internet.

Un corps anorexique

— A body showing the signs of anorexia.

Elle ne supportait plus de voir son corps anorexique dans le miroir.

Une phase anorexique

— A period of time during which one exhibits anorexic symptoms.

Elle a traversé une phase anorexique après son divorce.

Signes précurseurs anorexiques

— Early warning signs of anorexia.

Les parents doivent surveiller les signes précurseurs anorexiques.

Milieu de la mode et anorexie

— The fashion world and its link to anorexia.

Le lien entre le milieu de la mode et l'anorexie est souvent évoqué.

Guérir d'un état anorexique

— To heal from an anorexic state.

Il est possible de guérir d'un état anorexique avec de l'aide.

Idioms & Expressions

"Avoir un budget anorexique"

— To have an extremely small or insufficient budget (metaphorical).

Avec ce budget anorexique, nous ne pourrons pas finir le projet.

Informal/Figurative
"Une croissance anorexique"

— Economic growth that is very weak or non-existent.

Le pays connaît une croissance anorexique cette année.

Journalistic/Economic
"N'avoir que la peau sur les os"

— To be just skin and bones (often related to being anorexique).

Regarde-le, il n'a plus que la peau sur les os.

Informal
"Fondre comme neige au soleil"

— To lose weight very rapidly (can describe the onset of anorexia).

Elle a fondu comme neige au soleil en deux mois.

Common
"Se laisser mourir de faim"

— To let oneself starve to death (a literal description of severe anorexia).

Elle refuse tout, elle est en train de se laisser mourir de faim.

Serious
"Avoir l'estomac noué"

— To have a knot in one's stomach (often the physical feeling that prevents eating).

Elle est si stressée qu'elle a l'estomac noué et devient anorexique.

Common
"Vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche"

— To live on love and fresh water (metaphor for not eating, though usually romantic).

On ne peut pas vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche, tu dois manger !

Common/Idiom
"Être au régime sec"

— To be on a very strict diet or to have resources cut off.

Le gouvernement a mis le ministère au régime sec.

Figurative
"Perdre l'appétit de vivre"

— To lose the appetite for life (psychological root of being anorexique).

Son état anorexique vient du fait qu'elle a perdu l'appétit de vivre.

Literary
"Faire grève de la faim"

— To go on a hunger strike (different motivation, but same physical result).

Il fait grève de la faim pour protester, il devient anorexique.

Political

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'AN-OREX-IQUE'. 'AN' means NO. 'OREX' sounds like 'OR-EX' (Original EXpectation of food). 'IQUE' is the suffix for a condition. No food condition.

Visual Association

Imagine a person looking at a plate of food but seeing it through a 'NO' sign. The 'X' in anorexique can represent the crossed-out appetite.

Word Web

Anorexie Santé Mince Maladie Nourriture Psychologie Médecin Poids

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'anorexique' as an adjective, a noun, and in a plural form. Then, explain the difference between 'anorexique' and 'mince' to a friend in French.

Word Origin

The word comes from the Ancient Greek 'anorexia' (ἀνορεξία), composed of 'an-' (privative prefix meaning 'without') and 'orexis' (ὄρεξις, meaning 'appetite' or 'desire'). It entered the French language via medical Latin in the 18th century.

Original meaning: The original meaning was simply a 'lack of appetite' as a symptom of various physical diseases.

Indo-European (via Greek and Latin).

Cultural Context

Always use this word with extreme caution. It refers to a potentially fatal mental illness. Never use it to joke about someone's weight.

In English-speaking countries, 'anorexic' is often used as a clinical term but also colloquially (though often criticized). In French, the clinical weight of the word is much stronger.

Isabelle Caro (French model who became the face of an anti-anorexia campaign). The film 'Lily sometimes' (Pieds nus sur les limaces). The book 'J'ai faim' by various authors discussing eating disorders.
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