undernourished

1 of 2

adjective

un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht 

-ˈnə-risht

1

: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition

undernourished infants

Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.

—Cynthia Kuhn

2

: poorly supplied with vital elements or qualities

undernourished independent libraries

undernourishment

ˌən-dər-ˈnər-ish-mənt 

-ˈnə-rish-

noun

undernourishment

2 of 2

noun

: lack of sufficient nourishment

Examples of undernourished in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The risk of a bad outcome is higher for people who are undernourished and unable to access supportive medical care. — Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

For the first time, the continent has overtaken Asia as the region with the largest number of hungry people, and nearly 60% of the world’s chronically undernourished people could live there by 2030. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

Starvation ketoacidosis was a contributing factor, with the DA’s office saying Skyler was undernourished and therefore less able to survive the prolonged restraint. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

Nursing mothers had to travel farther to find food, leaving many pups undernourished and leading to thousands of strandings along the California coast. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undernourished

• flourished
• nourished
• malnourished

Kids Definition

undernourished

adjective

un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht 

-ˈnə-risht

: supplied with too little food for health and growth

undernourishment

-ˈnər-ish-ment 

-ˈnə-rish-

noun

Medical Definition

undernourished

adjective

un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht 

: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition

undernourished infants

Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.

—Cynthia Kuhn

undernourishment

-ˈnər-ish-mənt, -ˈnə-rish- 

noun