# hypnosis

/hɪpˈnoʊsəs/ (US) · /hɪpnˈəʊsɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hypnosis
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. trance state

noun · CEFR B2

a state that feels like sleep where you are very focused and follow suggestions easily.

For teachers: an induced state of consciousness characterized by deep relaxation and heightened suggestibility to external influence.

- Under hypnosis, the patient was able to talk about the accident without feeling afraid.
- The therapist used hypnosis to help the client access repressed memories that were contributing to their chronic anxiety.

### 2. the practice

noun · CEFR B2

the method or activity of putting someone into a trance.

For teachers: the clinical or therapeutic practice of inducing a hypnotic state; often used interchangeably with hypnotism.

- She decided to try hypnosis to help her quit smoking for good.
- Clinical hypnosis has gained wider acceptance in the medical community as a valid supplementary treatment for pain management.

## Examples

- The therapist used hypnosis to help him stop smoking.
- Under deep hypnosis, the patient was able to recall specific details about the event that she had previously forgotten.
- While popular media often portrays hypnosis as a tool for mind control, clinical practitioners use it as a legitimate psychological intervention to treat anxiety and chronic pain conditions.

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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.