Anemic means lacking energy, strength, or vitality. If something is anemic, it feels weak, pale, or insufficient. The word comes from a medical condition called anemia, where someone's blood doesn't carry enough oxygen, making them feel tired and weak.

You'll often hear this word used to describe things that should be strong but aren't. A basketball team might put on an anemic performance if they play without energy or focus, barely scoring any points. A student's essay might be called anemic if it lacks strong examples and interesting ideas, feeling thin and unconvincing. An anemic economy grows slowly, with few new jobs or businesses starting up.

When describing people directly, the word usually refers to the medical condition itself: someone with anemia might look pale and feel exhausted because their body isn't getting enough oxygen. More commonly, you'll encounter anemic describing efforts, performances, or results that lack the power or energy they should have. An anemic effort at cleaning your room might mean you barely picked anything up. An anemic crowd at a concert would be small and unenthusiastic, hardly cheering at all.