Underfed: meaning, definitions and examples

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underfed

[ ˌʌndərˈfɛd ]

^{Context #1}

describing a person or animal

Not adequately nourished or provided with food. Lacking sufficient food or nutrition.

Synonyms

malnourished, starved, undernourished

Examples of usage

The underfed child was visibly weak and malnourished.
The underfed puppies were rescued and given proper care.

^{Context #2}

describing a plant or crop

Not given enough food or nutrients to grow properly. Lacking in proper nourishment for growth.

Synonyms

deprived, malnourished, starved

Examples of usage

The underfed crops suffered from stunted growth due to lack of nutrients.
The underfed plants wilted and died in the dry soil.

Translations

Translations of the word "underfed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subalimentado

🇮🇳 अल्पपोषित

🇩🇪 unterernährt

🇮🇩 kurang gizi

🇺🇦 недогодований

🇵🇱 niedożywiony

🇯🇵 栄養不足

🇫🇷 sous-alimenté

🇪🇸 desnutrido

🇹🇷 yetersiz beslenmiş

🇰🇷 영양실조

🇸🇦 ناقص التغذية

🇨🇿 podvyživený

🇸🇰 podvyživený

🇨🇳 营养不良

🇸🇮 podhranjen

🇮🇸 vannærður

🇰🇿 азықтандырылмаған

🇬🇪 საკვების ნაკლებობა

🇦🇿 az qidalanmış

🇲🇽 desnutrido

Word origin

The word 'underfed' originated from the combination of the prefix 'under-' meaning 'insufficiently' and 'fed' which comes from the Old English word 'fedan' meaning 'to nourish'. The term has been used since the 19th century to describe individuals, animals, plants, or crops that are not adequately nourished or provided with food.