emaciated - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
emaciated Word Meanings
- to make someone very thin because of illness or lack of food
- to weaken someone emotionally or morally
- to cause to lose flesh or weight
emaciated Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
emaciated Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪˈmeɪʃ.i.ət/
US
/ɪˈmeɪʃ.i.ət/
emaciated Word Etymology
emaciate = e- (out) + maciare (make lean). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Picture a person standing on a scale, their face showing starvation, to vividly remember how they have been drained of strength and appearance.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Emaciate means to make someone very thin due to illness or lack of food, to weaken someone emotionally or morally, or to cause to lose flesh or weight. The term comes from Latin e (out) + maciare (to make lean), passing through Old French into English. In everyday use, it is strong and clinical; you might hear doctors, historians, or period drama narrators describe a famine-stricken figure. Imagine a person on a scale with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, a vivid cue for the drained strength and appearance.
Usage Reminders
- Do not use for casual dieting; expect a strong, clinical tone; often linked to illness; not a neutral or everyday word; watch for transitive use; pairs with nouns like appearance or weight.
Common Misconceptions
- Only physical skinnyness counts; emotional weakening is also possible
- It can be used for minor weight loss
- It is interchangeable with 'thin' or 'slim' in everyday speech
- Animals or inanimate objects can emaciate
- It describes deliberate dieting or cosmetic weight loss
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker: emaciate is a strong, somewhat clinical verb describing severe weight loss or weakening, not casual dieting; learners often confuse it with merely being thin.
Learning Tips
- Pair emaciate with words like gaunt, haggard, or wasted to describe appearances
- Remember it is transitive; you emaciate someone or something can emaciate a person
- Contrast with 'thin' or 'slim' which are milder
- Use in medical, historical, or literary contexts rather than casual talk
- Watch for collocations like 'emaciate appearance' or 'emaciate figure'
- Know the noun form emaciation to discuss the process
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'emaciated'?
A.Happy
B.Big
C.Weak
D.Green
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'emaciated' correctly?
A.She received a big present for her birthday.
B.He was so sad that he cried all day.
C.The sun was shining brightly in the sky.
D.The horse looked emaciated due to lack of food.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'emaciated'?
A.Skinny
B.Confident
C.Plump
D.Clever
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'emaciated'?
A.Full
B.Generous
C.Brave
D.Fast
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you use the word 'emaciated'?
A.Describing a healthy meal
B.Talking about a strong athlete
C.Discussing a beautiful scenery
D.Referring to a severely undernourished person
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