# psychopath

/ˈsaɪkoʊˌpæθ/ (US) · /sˈaɪkəʊpˌɑːθ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/psychopath
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

a person who lacks empathy and does not care about the feelings or safety of others. You might hear this word used to describe someone who lies easily, manipulates people, and feels no guilt.

For teachers: a person afflicted with a severe personality disorder characterised by antisocial behaviour, diminished empathy, and a lack of remorse. In non-clinical contexts, it frequently describes anyone who behaves in a ruthlessly manipulative or callous manner.

## Examples

- The movie features a dangerous psychopath who manipulates everyone around him.
- The detective realized the suspect was a psychopath who felt absolutely no guilt about the crimes he had committed.
- Although true clinical psychopaths are rare, corporate environments sometimes reward individuals who exhibit similar traits, such as superficial charm and a complete disregard for colleagues.

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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.