underweight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underweight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or animal whose weight is below the normal range for their height and age, often in a medical or health context. Example: "The doctor advised her to gain some weight, as she was classified as underweight for her height."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Significantly higher rates of hospital admission are seen among babies living in cold housing, and they're more likely to be underweight, and develop more slowly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Analyst Andrew Baum has moved his recommendation from underweight to equal weight with a £13.20 price target, following a 12% underperformance by the company so far this year compared to the rest of the European pharmaceutical sector.

The Guardian - Business

Nearly a third of children under five are underweight, according to Unicef, which will have wide-ranging impacts on the country.

The Guardian

The singer, who said she was two stone underweight at the time, and "five foot two and a half, or five foot three", felt Flash towered over her.

The Guardian - Music

She was ill – underweight and exhausted.

The Guardian

A net 84% of managers think bonds are overvalued and as a consequence, a net 54% are underweight the asset class.

The Economist

The widespread practice of open defecation goes some way to explaining India's dire nutritional performance.If girls give birth very young, their babies are likely to be underweight, and to fail to thrive.

The Economist

The "Global Hunger Index" (GHI) gives developing countries scores based on three indicators: the proportion of people who are undernourished, the proportion of children under five who are underweight, and the child mortality rate.

The Economist

Fund-management groups, according to a recent Merrill Lynch poll, mean to be underweight bank shares.That leaves the sovereign-wealth funds as the only investors with cash to spare.

The Economist

Although all of our fund managers remain underweight in America, which accounts for 44% of the world's stockmarket capitalisation, three of them have slightly increased their equity weighting in the United States.

The Economist

Babies born after the attacks had significantly shorter gestations and smaller head circumferences, and were underweight.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial contexts, use "underweight" to describe assets or sectors where investment is lower than market benchmarks. For better accuracy use "under invested".

Common error

Avoid using "underweight" interchangeably with "thin" or "slim". "Underweight" typically implies a health concern due to insufficient body mass, whereas "thin" simply describes a physical appearance.

Linguistic Context

The term "underweight" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of having a body weight below what is considered healthy or normal. Ludwig AI confirms its use to modify nouns referring to individuals, animals, or even investment portfolios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underweight" serves as an adjective used to describe something that is below a healthy or normal weight, with many examples available through Ludwig. It commonly appears in news, business, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Although "underweight" "thin" or "slim", using "underweight" implies a health or performance issue due to the lack of mass. Ludwig AI ensures that "underweight" is correct and usable in English. It's also crucial to provide context and consider the potential sensitivity when using the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below healthy weight

Focuses on health as the primary concern rather than just weight.

less than ideal weight

Emphasizes a deviation from a desired or expected weight.

insufficient body weight

A formal way of stating that the body weight is not adequate.

deficient in weight

Highlights the lack of sufficient weight.

thin

A more general term for low body weight, without necessarily implying a health concern.

scrawny

Implies a lack of muscle and a bony appearance, often with negative connotations.

under nourished

Focuses on the lack of nutrients, which can lead to being underweight.

lacking mass

Describes the absence of sufficient body mass.

under-strength

Connects low weight with a lack of physical strength.

slight of build

Refers to a body type that is naturally slender.

FAQs

What are the health risks associated with being "underweight"?

Being "underweight" can lead to weakened immune system, fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, and increased risk of osteoporosis. If you are concerned about being underweight, you should consult a healthcare professional.

How is "underweight" defined in a medical context?

In a medical context, "underweight" is typically defined using Body Mass Index (BMI). A BMI below 18.5 is generally considered underweight. However, this is just a guideline and doctors consider other factors.

What can I say instead of describing someone as "underweight"?

You can use alternatives like "below healthy weight", "less than ideal weight", or "thin", depending on the context and whether you want to emphasize health concerns.

Is it offensive to describe someone as "underweight"?

Describing someone as "underweight" can be sensitive, especially if it's unsolicited or implies a negative judgment about their body. It's best to avoid commenting on someone's weight unless it's necessary for a healthcare discussion or if they've explicitly asked for your opinion. Consider the context to avoid causing offense.