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Definition of undernourishment

undernourishment

/ˌʌn.dɚˈnɝː.ɪʃ.mənt/
un · der · nour · ish · ment
Adjective:undernourished
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undernourishment Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The physical condition of having insufficient food or dietary nutrients to maintain good health and normal growth.

Example

"Widespread crop failures in the region led to severe undernourishment among young children."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for undernourishment
Antonyms
View all antonyms for undernourishment

Word Nuance & Usage

While often used interchangeably with 'malnutrition', 'undernourishment' specifically refers to an insufficient intake of food and calories, whereas 'malnutrition' is a broader clinical term that also encompasses dietary imbalances and overnutrition.

• Rhymes for undernourishment

• Nearby Words

underneath
undernourish
undernourished
undernourishment
undernutrition
underoccupied
underpaid

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Undernourishment. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/undernourishment
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