underweight

1 of 2

noun

un·​der·​weight ˌən-dər-ˈwāt How to pronounce underweight (audio)
: weight below normal, average, or requisite weight

underweight

2 of 2

adjective

: weighing less than the normal or requisite amount

Examples of underweight in a Sentence

Adjective the long illness left him frail and underweight
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Calculated by dividing a person's weight by their height, the result then classifies individuals into categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Wells is sticking by its underweight rating on Tesla , a minority view among Wall Street analysts after the stock has soared in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to deregulate industry and his close ties to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025 As a screening measure, BMI is a quick, cheap, and reliable measure of categorizing someone as underweight (less than 18.5 kg/m2), a healthy weight (18.5 to less than 25), overweight (25 to less than 30), or obese (30 or greater). New Atlas, 14 Jan. 2025 Korean stocks were raised to neutral from underweight. Chloe Berger, Fortune Asia, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for underweight 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underweight was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near underweight

Cite this Entry

“Underweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underweight. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

underweight

adjective
un·​der·​weight
ˌən-dər-ˈwāt
: weighing less than what is normal, average, or necessary

Medical Definition

underweight

adjective
un·​der·​weight -ˈwāt How to pronounce underweight (audio)
: weighing less than the normal amount for one's age, height, and build
underweight children
underweight adults typically have a body mass index of less than 18.5
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!