psycho

¹

[ sahy-koh ]

noun

, plural psy·chos.

1. a psychopathic or psychotic person.
2. a crazy or mentally unstable person.

adjective

1. psychopathic or psychotic.
2. crazy; mentally unstable.

psycho-

²

1. a combining form representing psyche ( psychological ) and psychological ( psychoanalysis ) in compound words.

psycho-

¹

combining_form

1. indicating the mind or psychological or mental processes

   psychogenesis

   psychology

   psychosomatic

psycho

²

/ ˈsaɪkəʊ /

noun

1. an informal and offensive word for psychopath or psychopathic See psychopath

Word History and Origins

Origin of psycho¹

First recorded in 1935–40; by shortening

Origin of psycho²

< Greek, combining form of psȳchḗ breath, spirit, soul, mind; akin to psȳ́chein to blow ( psykter )

Word History and Origins

Origin of psycho¹

from Greek psukhē spirit, breath

Example Sentences

He regards himself as an artist, has lots of money, is well-connected in power circles and is withal the very model of a modern fictional psycho killer.

From Los Angeles Times

But really, there is nothing as tedious as a psycho killer, except when it’s a song by the Talking Heads.

From Los Angeles Times

“She’s a psycho and is obsessed with cutting clothes.”

From BBC

“She’s a psycho. That is her thing.”

From BBC

Mr Sharif also told the court Ms Batool was a “psycho” and “evil”, and that he slapped Sara after Ms Batool told him Sara had injured some of the other children.

From BBC