English Reference

Word

PTSD

Phoneticsptsd

/ˌpiˈtiˌɛsˈdi/

Definition

n. Stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a terrifying event. It causes flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety that do not go away on their own.

n. Abbreviation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A psychological disorder triggered by exposure to a traumatic event, characterised by intrusive memories, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Examples

“She seeks therapy to manage her PTSD symptoms.”

“The veteran struggles with PTSD after returning from years of active combat duty.”

Examples

simple

“She seeks therapy to manage her PTSD symptoms.”

contextual

“The veteran struggles with PTSD after returning from years of active combat duty.”

Real-World Examples

“She says the bullying she received from classmates was so bad she developed symptoms of PTSD.”
BBC News · 3 Sept 2026
“But childbirth-related PTSD can be complex to identify.”
The Guardian · 27 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/ptsd

English Reference