he is underweight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is underweight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's body weight in relation to a healthy weight range, often in a medical or health context. Example: "After his recent check-up, the doctor informed him that he is underweight and should consider a balanced diet to gain some weight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He says that he is underweight but not starved.

The New Yorker

If this is the case, he is underweight.

WikiHow

If your kitten has sharp feeling bones and a hollow tummy between meals, he is underweight and needs to eat more.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He says he is underweighting large-cap stocks.

Forbes

Each child is weighed and, if he or she is underweight, the mother is given Plumpy'nut, a sweet-tasting paste made from peanuts, peanut oil, powdered milk and sugar, and fortified with vitamins and minerals.

Unicef

By the time he was moved to the long-term home in Hertfordshire, he was underweight.

The Guardian

He took the physical, but they kept telling him he was underweight.

The New Yorker

He tried to enlist in the Marines and in the paratroops but was turned down because he was underweight.

The New Yorker

He said he was underweight, "pale white, and everyone cried at least once a day from the mental abuse".

The New York Times - Travel

He was seen by a paediatrician three weeks before he died who said that he was underweight but not wasted.

Independent

His number came up, he was drafted, & he realized why he was underweight: They didn't have any colored aircraft-mechanics school.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is underweight", consider providing additional context about the potential causes or health implications, such as dietary issues or underlying medical conditions. This provides a more comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Don't automatically assume that being underweight equates to being unhealthy. While it can be a sign of malnutrition or other health issues, some individuals are naturally lean and healthy. Always consider other factors like energy levels, diet, and overall well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is underweight" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that an individual's weight falls below the healthy or expected range. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is underweight" is a descriptive statement used to indicate that an individual's weight is below what is considered healthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. It appears frequently in news articles, health-related content, and general discussions, suggesting a neutral register. While the phrase is generally straightforward, it's important to consider additional context and avoid assumptions about overall health based solely on weight. Alternatives like "he weighs too little" or "he is too thin" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is too thin

Uses the direct adjective "thin" to describe being underweight.

he weighs too little

Focuses on the deficiency in weight using "weighs too little".

he is lighter than he should be

Highlights the discrepancy between the actual weight and the expected weight.

he is below his ideal weight

Specifies that the weight is less than what is considered ideal or healthy.

he is not heavy enough

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient heaviness or mass.

he needs to gain weight

Suggests the necessity of increasing body mass.

his weight is deficient

Uses a more formal and clinical tone to indicate a weight deficiency.

he is malnourished

Implies that the underweight condition is due to a lack of proper nutrition.

he lacks sufficient body mass

Emphasizes the absence of adequate body mass.

he is scrawny

Uses a descriptive adjective to indicate a thin and bony appearance.

FAQs

What are some other ways to say "he is underweight"?

Alternatives include "he weighs too little", "he is too thin", or "he needs to gain weight" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "he is underweight"?

This phrase is appropriate when discussing someone's health or physical condition, particularly in medical or nutritional contexts. It's also used when discussing general well-being and fitness.

What are the potential implications of someone being underweight?

Being underweight can be a sign of malnutrition, eating disorders, or underlying medical conditions. It may also indicate that the person isn't getting enough nutrients to support their body's functions.

Is there a difference between saying "he is underweight" and "he is malnourished"?

"He is underweight" refers specifically to a low body weight, while "he is malnourished" implies a deficiency in essential nutrients. While someone who is underweight might also be malnourished, the terms aren't interchangeable. Malnutrition can occur even in individuals who are not underweight.