loss of appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

"loss of appetite" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decrease in the desire to eat. For example, "She was so stressed that she had a loss of appetite."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most also suffered a loss of appetite.

The New Yorker

There's a little loss of appetite.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps it's loss of appetite.

The New York Times - Books

Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Britannica

Pain medication leads to loss of appetite and constipation.

The New York Times

Mourners may experience loss of appetite, palpitations, even hallucinations.

The New Yorker

I had loss of appetite and felt very tired.

The Guardian

The medications can cause sleep problems, loss of appetite and, in rare cases, delusions.

The New York Times - Health

Most Yemeni children struggle with a loss of appetite due to lack of food.

The Guardian

Loss of appetite progresses to nausea and vomiting; episodes of diarrhea and constipation may occur.

Britannica

Headache, intolerance to light (photophobia), muscle pain, loss of appetite, and prostration are common symptoms.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing symptoms, be specific about the duration and severity of the "loss of appetite" to provide a clearer clinical picture.

Common error

Avoid using "loss of appetite" interchangeably with terms like anorexia nervosa. While both involve reduced food intake, anorexia nervosa is a complex psychiatric disorder with psychological underpinnings that go beyond a simple "loss of appetite".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loss of appetite" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition where the desire to eat is reduced. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's often associated with medical conditions or side effects of treatments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loss of appetite" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe a reduced desire to eat. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. Its primary function is descriptive, often appearing in medical, scientific, and general health discussions. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, its implications can be serious, warranting medical attention if prolonged or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Related phrases include "decreased appetite" and "reduced hunger", offering slight variations in emphasis. It's important to distinguish "loss of appetite" from clinical eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, which involve more complex psychological factors. The phrase is used commonly in News & Media and Science, so the user can without any doubt use it in similar contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased appetite

Replaces "loss" with "decreased", maintaining the core meaning.

reduced hunger

Substitutes "appetite" with "hunger", emphasizing the physiological aspect.

poor appetite

Uses "poor" to describe the state of appetite.

lack of appetite

Replaces "loss" with "lack", indicating an absence of appetite.

diminished appetite

Uses a more formal term, "diminished", to describe the reduced appetite.

decreased desire to eat

Expresses the concept as a reduction in the desire to eat rather than appetite.

food aversion

Indicates a strong dislike or avoidance of food, leading to appetite loss.

anorexia

Refers to a medical condition characterized by appetite loss, but can imply a more severe or psychological context.

difficulty eating

Focuses on the practical difficulty of eating, which may stem from appetite loss.

reduced food intake

Highlights the consequence of appetite loss - a decrease in the amount of food consumed.

FAQs

What are some common causes of "loss of appetite"?

Common causes of "loss of appetite" include infections, medications, mental health conditions like depression, and underlying medical conditions such as cancer. It can also be a temporary side effect of stress or travel.

How is "loss of appetite" different from anorexia?

"Loss of appetite" is a symptom that can have many causes, while anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Although a "lack of appetite" may be present in anorexia, the condition involves a complex interplay of psychological factors.

What can I say instead of "loss of appetite"?

You can use alternatives like "decreased appetite", "reduced hunger", or "poor appetite", depending on the specific context.

When should I seek medical attention for "loss of appetite"?

You should seek medical attention if the "loss of appetite" is prolonged, unexplained, or accompanied by other symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, or fever. These symptoms may indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.