Word
psychotic
Phoneticspsy·chot·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌsaɪˈkɑtɪk/
UK/saɪkˈɒtɪk/
Definitions
01medical condition
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. suffering from a mental illness that makes it hard to tell what is real and what is not.
adj. relating to or suffering from psychosis, a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.
“The patient was in a psychotic state and believed he was a famous king.”
“Clinical observation revealed that the subject was experiencing a psychotic episode characterized by auditory hallucinations and fragmented thought patterns.”
Usage
Often used with the noun 'episode' or 'break'.
Synonyms
02erratic or strange
C2 · Proficiency Informal
adj. behaving in a very strange, wild, or dangerous way.
adj. exhibiting erratic, irrational, or bizarre behaviour that appears out of control.
“The driver was acting totally psychotic, weaving in and out of traffic.”
“Her ex-boyfriend started sending psychotic messages at three in the morning, demanding to know where she was.”
Teaching tip
This sense is common in casual speech but can be seen as insensitive to those with actual mental health conditions.
03a person with psychosis
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a person who is suffering from a serious mental illness called psychosis.
n. a person affected by psychosis. This usage is increasingly avoided in clinical settings in favour of person-first language.
“The doctor explained how to provide care for a psychotic in a crisis.”
“Early twentieth-century texts often referred to the patient as a psychotic rather than a person suffering from a specific disorder.”
Teaching tip
Modern medical professionals prefer 'person with psychosis' over using the adjective as a noun.
Real-World Examples
“They also endure psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices that aren't there.” “A Jerusalem court said the Jewish attacker was having a psychotic episode when he assaulted the nun, in an incident which caused outrage.” Etymology
Derived in English from psychosis + -tic; compare French psychotique, German psychotisch. Attested from the late 19th century. Compare earlier neurotic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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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