English Explanatory Dictionary

neurotic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Affected with a neurosis.
  2. Overly anxious.
  3. Useful in disorders of, or affecting, the nerves.
noun
  1. A person who has a neurosis.
  2. A crazy person.

Pronunciation

/n(j)ʊəˈɹɒtɪk/ /n(j)əˈɹɒtɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-neurotic.wav

Word forms

neurotic neurotics

Etymology

Formed of neuro- (“of nerves or the nervous system”) + -otic (“having abnormal condition”). The initial element, in turn, is from Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron, “nerve”). Attested from the 17th century. Compare French névrotique.

Synonyms

jitterbug nervous wreck obsessive worrywart

Derived words

angioneurotic antineurotic cardioneurotic hyperneurotic neurotically neuroticism neuroticization neuroticize nonneurotic postneurotic psychoneurotic trophoneurotic unneurotic
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