loss of appetite

Meaning

1. 1noununcountablemedical

   A state in which a person no longer feels like eating, often because of illness, worry or medication.

   Grammar: No plural: loss of appetite can last several days.

   Patterns

   • loss of appetite caused by something
   • suffer loss of appetite

   The flu left her with a fever and a total loss of appetite.

   A sudden loss of appetite in an older dog should be checked by a vet.

   Stress at work can cause headaches and loss of appetite.

Common combinations

suffer from loss of appetite

He suffered from loss of appetite after the operation.

cause loss of appetite

Some medicines cause loss of appetite.

sudden loss of appetite

A sudden loss of appetite worried her parents.

persistent loss of appetite

Persistent loss of appetite should be discussed with a doctor.

complain of loss of appetite

The patient complained of loss of appetite and tiredness.

Synonyms and how they differ

anorexia

In medicine anorexia can simply mean lack of appetite, but to most people it suggests the eating disorder, so loss of appetite is clearer.

poor appetite

Poor appetite describes eating little in general, while loss of appetite suggests a sudden change.

lack of appetite

Lack of appetite is almost interchangeable, but it sounds more like a lasting condition than a change.

Opposites

Word family

appetite noun

the desire to eat

appetizing adjective

making you want to eat

lose verb

to no longer have something

loss noun

the state of no longer having something

Commonly confused: loss of appetite or loss of weight?

Practice

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