Skip to main content
hyperphagia

hyperphagia

1 9.9
An unusually strong urge to eat much more than normal
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪpərˈfeɪdʒə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hiperfagia
  • Because black bears have annual periods of inactivity, we restricted our analysis to the 6,700 locations recorded during the bears' most active period (hyperphagia, from September 1 until denning; Noyce and Garshelis 2011) in each year.
  • bears are entering hyperphagia

Examples

  • Although the syndrome of morning anorexia, evening hyperphagia, and/or insomnia was first reported by Stunkard and his colleagues at least 60 years ago, lack of a standard definition has impeded recognition of NES comparison and comparison of study results.

    Academic text (2015)
  • I was wondering if you wanted to grab some alimentation for our hyperphagia.

  • During hyperphagia time, however, bears often venture closer to people than usual, especially if natural foods are scarce.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The biological drive to fatten up before winter is known as hyperphagia—a period when a bear's appetite increases dramatically.

    Blog text (29)
  • CBT treatment led to significant reductions in evening hyperphagia, reduced the number of nocturnal eating episodes and total caloric intake, and diminished depressive symptoms.

    Academic text (2015)
  • During the fall, bears experience hyperphagia, which allows them to eat up to three times more food than in summer to prepare for hibernation.

  • The biological phenomenon known as hyperphagia leads some animals to increase their food intake dramatically before winter.

  • As part of their natural behavior, some species undergo hyperphagia, consuming excess food to build fat reserves for the colder months.

Synonyms

overeating
vshyperphagia
9 2.1

Eating more food than your body needs

focuses on an abnormal appetite condition rather than the act itself
bulimia
vshyperphagia
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A very strong, unusual hunger often caused by brain damage

is broader, covering both medical causes and natural animal behaviour
piggishness
vshyperphagia
1 7.8

A habit of eating too much in a greedy way

is a neutral medical or biological term rather than a moral label
edacity
vshyperphagia
  • Formal
9.9

A very strong desire to eat too much

is a defined medical or animal condition rather than a simple trait
ravenousness
vshyperphagia
7.7

Very strong hunger that makes you want to eat a lot

is a named medical or animal condition, not only a strong feeling
Brobdingnagian appetite
vshyperphagia
9.9

A very strong feeling that makes someone eat a lot of food

is a clinical or behavioural condition, not merely a vivid description
gormful appetite
vshyperphagia
  • Archaic
9.9

A very strong wish to eat and drink a lot

is defined as an abnormal appetite condition, not just figurative language
porkish appetite
vshyperphagia
  • Archaic
8.8

A very strong desire to eat a lot

is neutral medical terminology rather than a judgmental description
hoggishness
vshyperphagia
9.7

A very greedy way of eating a lot of food

is a medical or natural appetite condition, not a moral judgment
greediness
vshyperphagia
3.9

Wanting too much food and eating more than needed

is a clinical condition label rather than a general description of desire
binge-eating syndrome
vshyperphagia
  • Specialized
5.6

A problem where a person eats a lot of food in a short time and then feels guilty

is broader, naming an abnormal appetite state not specific to episodes

Antonyms

anorexia
  • Specialized
24 7.9

A serious eating problem when a person does not eat and becomes very thin

How Hungry

hyperphagia
  • Specialized
1 9.9
appetite
299 2.1
anorexia
  • Specialized
24 7.9

Surface Forms

hyperphagia singular
hyperphagias plural

Morphology

hyperphagia = hyper + phag + ia

The word is a specialized medical formation built from Greek-derived bound morphemes, so its meaning is not readily recoverable for an average B1 learner from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word hyperphagia comes from Greek parts hyper- meaning 'over', as in hyperactive, and -phagia meaning 'to eat', so it means 'eating too much'.