Word
hysteria
Phoneticshys·te·ria
US/hɪˈstɛɹiə/
UK/hɪstˈiəɹɪɐ/
Definitions
01uncontrolled emotion
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a situation where people are so excited or worried that they lose control of their feelings.
n. a state of extreme or exaggerated emotion, such as panic or excitement, that is often irrational and difficult to contain.
“Mass hysteria broke out in the crowd when the famous singer finally appeared on stage.”
“The sudden collapse of the local currency triggered a wave of public hysteria, leading to widespread looting and panic buying in the capital.”
02historical medical diagnosis
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Archaic · Technical
n. an old-fashioned medical term for mental health problems that doctors once thought only affected women.
n. a historical and now largely discredited medical diagnosis for various psychological symptoms, formerly attributed to uterine dysfunction.
“In the 19th century, doctors often diagnosed women with hysteria for showing signs of stress.”
“Modern feminist scholars have extensively critiqued the historical diagnosis of hysteria as a tool for pathologizing female behavior that deviated from social norms.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic and carries sexist historical connotations; in modern contexts, use 'conversion disorder' or 'psychosomatic illness'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Putin and his officials have repeatedly dismissed warnings of Russian plans to attack Nato countries as hysteria.” “Even in Miami, where Messi was embraced readily, Messi’s presence no longer guarantees the hysteria it once did.” Etymology
From New Latin hysteria, a back-formation from Latin hystericus, from Ancient Greek ὑστερικός (husterikós, “suffering in the uterus, hysterical”), from ὑστέρα (hustéra, “womb”). Compare French hystérie.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/hysteria