Freudian

American  

[froi-dee-uhn] / ˈfrɔɪ di ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Sigmund Freud or his doctrines, especially with respect to the causes and treatment of neurotic and psychopathic states, the interpretation of dreams, etc.

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noun

1. a person, especially a psychoanalyst, who adheres to the basic doctrines of Freud.

Freudian British  

/ ˈfrɔɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Sigmund Freud or his ideas

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noun

1. a person who follows or believes in the basic ideas of Sigmund Freud

Freudian Cultural  

1. Pertaining to or agreeing with the theories of Sigmund Freud.

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Other Word Forms

• Freudianism noun
• anti-Freudian adjective
• anti-Freudianism noun
• post-Freudian adjective
• pro-Freudian adjective

Etymology

Origin of Freudian

First recorded in 1905–10; Freud + -ian

Example Sentences

He has no apparent convictions, only Freudian longings for an idealized childhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

After the opening day's action, Draper made a Freudian slip which initially proved quite telling.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

Juicy loves Tedra not in the Freudian manner of hackneyed “Hamlet” productions but in the protective way of an outcast who wishes to shield his fabulous mom from the blows of life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2024

The stakes have intensified as the Faithfuls have dwindled, mainly due to their impressive talent for misreading the smallest twitch or Freudian slip as evidence of deceit.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2024

“About what? About Freud? The one time I mentioned a Freudian theory in class, all I got out of Appleman was that dogmatic psychoanalysis was related to psychology as magic was related to science. ‘

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok