neurotic

CEFRC1

/n(j)ʊəˈɹɒtɪk/

adjective · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Often worried, anxious, or emotionally unstable.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Overly anxious.

Examples

  • Mary's getting more neurotic the older she gets.

  • I don't think I'm neurotic.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
4

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Useful in disorders of, or affecting, the nerves.

  2. Affected with a neurosis.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. A person who has a neurosis.

More examples

In context

  • He is getting neurotic about time-keeping.

  • If there were such a thing as inspiration from a higher realm, it might well be that the neurotic temperament would furnish the chief condition of the requisite receptivity.

  • DYSART: ...Advanced neurotics can be dazzling at that game. They aim unswervingly at your area of maximum vulnerability...

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

A person who is often excessively worried and anxious is described as blank.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

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.