bulimia
noun
bu·lim·ia bü-ˈlē-mē-ə 
byü- -ˈli-
byü- -ˈli- 1
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression
called also bulimia nervosa
2
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
bulimic
bü-ˈlē-mik
adjective or noun byü-
-ˈli- 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In 1992, three different books about the royals alleged Diana struggled with bulimia, though the palace never addressed the rumors. 
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Kung Minkoff, who is mom to Max, 9 and Zoe, 7, with her filmmaker husband Rob Minkoff, says she's worked hard to recover and her bulimia is now under control. Aili Nahas, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 The two sat down and had a heart-to-heart conversation about Crystal's ongoing struggles with food, while Sutton, 50, detailed what was said at Lisa Rinna's wine tasting about Crystal's bulimia. Dana Feldman, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 In the film, Charles makes a loaded comment about Diana’s bulimia, chastising her for wasting food, a sentiment that Diana, in real life, alluded to having heard from people around her, during her famous 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. Cady Lang, Time, 8 Nov. 2021 Johnson explains how her curiosity turned into a form of travel bulimia, taking her to 87 countries in 25 years. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 16 Apr. 2022 Winehouse’s troubles include alcoholism, bulimia, self-harm, drug abuse and difficult romantic relationships. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2022 This is why cold intolerance can be one of many symptoms of an eating disorder that can cause weight loss, like anorexia or bulimia, Dr. Vyas explains. Mathew Devine, SELF, 23 May 2022 Two large plans covered nutritional counseling for diseases such as diabetes but not for mental disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Sandhya Raman, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2022 See More
Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 Kung Minkoff, who is mom to Max, 9 and Zoe, 7, with her filmmaker husband Rob Minkoff, says she's worked hard to recover and her bulimia is now under control. Aili Nahas, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 The two sat down and had a heart-to-heart conversation about Crystal's ongoing struggles with food, while Sutton, 50, detailed what was said at Lisa Rinna's wine tasting about Crystal's bulimia. Dana Feldman, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 In the film, Charles makes a loaded comment about Diana’s bulimia, chastising her for wasting food, a sentiment that Diana, in real life, alluded to having heard from people around her, during her famous 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. Cady Lang, Time, 8 Nov. 2021 Johnson explains how her curiosity turned into a form of travel bulimia, taking her to 87 countries in 25 years. Lise Pedersen, Variety, 16 Apr. 2022 Winehouse’s troubles include alcoholism, bulimia, self-harm, drug abuse and difficult romantic relationships. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2022 This is why cold intolerance can be one of many symptoms of an eating disorder that can cause weight loss, like anorexia or bulimia, Dr. Vyas explains. Mathew Devine, SELF, 23 May 2022 Two large plans covered nutritional counseling for diseases such as diabetes but not for mental disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Sandhya Raman, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek boulimia great hunger, from bou-, augmentative prefix (from bous head of cattle) + limos hunger — more at cow
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Medical Definition
bulimia
noun
bu·lim·ia byü-ˈlim-ē-ə bü- -ˈlē-mē-
bü- -ˈlē-mē- variants also boulimia
bü-
1
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
called also hyperorexia
2
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression