What does adipsia mean?
Adipsia is a specialized medical and psychological term for the absence or marked reduction of thirst. It can describe a physiological lack of thirst, loss of the urge to drink, or an observed symptom in a patient, depending on the context. The noun is especially useful in clinical descriptions, where hydration and a patient's willingness to drink may be important. It is not simply a colorful synonym for someone who does not feel thirsty. In contrast, polydipsia denotes excessive thirst, while aphasia concerns impaired language rather than drinking. Adipsia is uncommon in general conversation, so readers are most likely to encounter it in case reports, diagnostic discussions, or descriptions of eating and drinking disorders. Although it can sound similar to several other medical terms ending in -ia, its defining feature is specifically the absence of thirst or desire for liquids. Recognising it helps distinguish reduced fluid intake from difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, or a deliberate refusal to drink.
nounThe absence or marked reduction of thirst or of the desire to drink.
- Absence or marked reduction of thirst or of the desire to drink.
"Her profound adipsia made it difficult for the care team to maintain hydration."
"Her profound adipsia made it difficult for the care team to maintain hydration."
"The case report described the patient's adipsia alongside restricted eating and apathy."
The plural is rare; modern medical prose generally uses the uncountable singular adipsia.
"The review included patients with adipsias of differing severity."
Adipsia means “without thirst”; its opposite, polydipsia, means “with too much thirst”—and both are useful in medicine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adipsia
The English word was borrowed from New Latin adipsia, which derives from the Greek a- meaning “without” and dipsia meaning “thirst.” The root dipsia is also found in cognates such as polydipsia, oligodipsia, and dipsomania. The original formation expresses the sense “without thirst,” while modern clinical usage can also include a loss of the desire to drink.
How adipsia is actually used
A specialized medical and psychological term, uncommon in general conversation. Depending on context, it may refer to the absence of physiological thirst, a reduced urge to drink, or an observed symptom associated with illness. Its opposite, polydipsia, denotes excessive thirst.
Easily confused with adipsia
Adipsia is the absence of thirst or desire to drink, whereas aphasia is an impairment of the ability to use or understand language.