underfed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underfed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not receiving enough food or nutrition. Example: "The stray animals in the neighborhood appear to be underfed and in need of care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If biotechnology is to achieve what Gordon Conway, head of the Rockefeller Foundation, calls "a doubly green revolution", it must offer more than a technical fix: it must help poor farmers make better use of the tools they have.According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, 830m people in the world are underfed.

The Economist

In some countries, nearly half of the children under five are underfed to the point of stunting.

The Economist

Many women are consequently underfed or overworked during pregnancy.

The Economist

Half of the children under five are underfed to the point of stunting.

The Economist

That is good, because Mr Sen's message is the one India needs most to hear: Indians are woefully underfed, undereducated and sickly even by the standards of poor countries.

The Economist

They are simultaneously over- and underfed: too many calories, not enough micronutrients.

The Economist

This week Manmohan Singh, the prime minister, said his compatriots should be ashamed that over two-fifths of their children are underfed.

The Economist

Factories were indeed miserable and the urban poor were overworked and underfed.

The Economist

Would it not be better if they spent more money on wholesome things like oranges and wholemeal bread?…Yes it would, but the point is, no human being would ever do such a thing.…A millionaire may enjoy breakfasting off orange juice and Ryvita biscuits; an unemployed man does not…When you are underfed, harassed, bored, and miserable, you don't want to eat dull wholesome food.

The Economist

This is partly because, as George Orwell wrote in The Road To Wigan Pier, "When you are unemployed, which is to say when you are underfed, harassed, bored, and miserable, you don't want to eat dull wholesome food.

The Economist

Real damage to human interests is greatest under poor livestock-management conditions for instance, when underfed poultry are on free range or weak lambs live on overgrazed pasture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the state of being "underfed", consider the specific context and choose a synonym like "malnourished" or "undernourished" to provide a more nuanced understanding of the severity and nature of the nutritional deficiency. Use "underfed" when referring to a lack of quantity; use the others when emphasizing a lack of specific nutrients.

Common error

Avoid using "underfed" when the situation involves severe starvation or famine. Instead, use stronger terms like "starving" or "famine-stricken" to accurately reflect the gravity of the situation. "Underfed" is more appropriate for mild to moderate cases of insufficient nutrition.

Linguistic Context

The term "underfed" primarily functions as an adjective to describe a state of insufficient nourishment. It modifies nouns, indicating that the subject is not receiving adequate food. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "underfed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective to describe a state of insufficient nourishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for describing both humans and animals. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedias, indicating a neutral register. To enhance your writing, consider context-specific synonyms like "malnourished" or "undernourished", while avoiding overstating the condition in cases of severe starvation. Remember to use "underfed" when describing a lack of quantity in food intake, and other alternatives when describing a lack of specific nutrients. The phrase is prevalent enough to be considered very common in English discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malnourished

Indicates a more severe and prolonged state of nutritional deficiency compared to "underfed".

undernourished

Similar to "malnourished", but often implies a lack of essential nutrients rather than simply insufficient quantity of food.

poorly fed

A more general term indicating inadequate feeding, without necessarily implying severe health consequences.

starving

Implies a severe lack of food, often to the point of death or extreme suffering.

food-deprived

Emphasizes the act of being deprived of food, often due to external circumstances.

not properly nourished

A more formal way of saying "underfed", emphasizing the lack of proper nutrition.

hungry

Describes a temporary state of lacking food, less severe than "underfed".

nutrient-deficient

Highlights the lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet.

inadequate diet

Refers to the quality and composition of the food intake, rather than just the quantity.

lacking sustenance

Focuses on the absence of essential resources needed to maintain life and health.

FAQs

How can I use the word "underfed" in a sentence?

You can use "underfed" to describe individuals or animals that are not receiving enough food. For example, "The "underfed children" were noticeably weak" or "The rescue organization cared for "underfed animals"."

What is a synonym for "underfed"?

Synonyms for "underfed" include "malnourished", "undernourished", and "poorly fed". The best choice depends on the specific context and the severity of the condition.

Which is correct, "underfed" or "undernourished"?

Both "underfed" and "undernourished" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Underfed" implies a lack of sufficient food quantity, while "undernourished" implies a lack of essential nutrients, even if the quantity of food is adequate.

What's the difference between "underfed" and "hungry"?

"Hungry" describes a temporary state of lacking food, while "underfed" implies a chronic condition of not receiving enough food over a longer period. Someone who is "hungry" needs immediate food, whereas someone who is "underfed" requires a sustained improvement in their diet.