# aboulia

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aboulia
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a medical condition where a person cannot make decisions or take action. It is often caused by brain damage and makes it hard for the person to follow through on simple tasks.

For teachers: a neurological condition characterised by the inability to make decisions or initiate voluntary actions. Often associated with frontal lobe damage or certain psychiatric disorders.

## Examples

- The patient suffered from aboulia after a car accident.
- Doctors observed that the patient had aboulia, making it impossible for him to choose a meal or start a conversation.
- In clinical psychology, aboulia is frequently discussed in the context of executive dysfunction, where the individual's capacity for goal-directed behavior is severely impaired despite intact sensory and motor functions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.