Word
psychoactive
Phoneticspsy·choac·tive
UK/sˌaɪkəʊˈæktɪv/
Definition
adj. describes a substance that changes how your mind works, usually by making you feel different or more alert. You use this word for things like coffee, tea, or medicine that affect your brain.
adj. relating to or capable of affecting the mind or mental processes. Often used to describe substances that alter consciousness or perception.
Examples
“Caffeine is a mild psychoactive substance found in coffee.”
“The researcher studied how different psychoactive compounds affect the brain's ability to process visual information.”
“While many plants contain psychoactive alkaloids, only a few have been cultivated for their medicinal properties rather than their recreational effects.”
Examples
simple
“Caffeine is a mild psychoactive substance found in coffee.”
contextual
“The researcher studied how different psychoactive compounds affect the brain's ability to process visual information.”
complex
“While many plants contain psychoactive alkaloids, only a few have been cultivated for their medicinal properties rather than their recreational effects.”
Real-World Examples
“There have long been fanciful tales of hippies getting high by licking toads, but these ones are the real deal: the world’s only known psychoactive animal.” “Both pilots underwent routine post-flight screening for psychoactive substances, India's aviation ministry said.” Etymology
From psycho- + active.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/psychoactive