Freudian

[ froi-dee-uhn ]

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.

noun

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

Freudian

/ ˈfrɔɪdɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Sigmund Freud or his ideas

noun

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

Freudian

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

Derived Forms

• ˈFreudianˌism, noun

Other Words From

• Freudi·an·ism noun
• anti-Freudi·an adjective noun
• anti-Freudi·an·ism noun
• post-Freudi·an adjective
• pro-Freudi·an adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Freudian¹

First recorded in 1905–10; Freud + -ian

Example Sentences

The sole exception is an absconder of one of the magical objects, played by David Thewlis, who wrings some Freudian pathos from his damaged character, a wronged man who has yet to realize he’s become a monster.

From Washington Post

I mean, people use this term vernacularly without probably even knowing that that’s Freudian in its origins.

From Freakonomics

In moments of duress, a different self manifests with acts of destruction: unleashed id in Freudian, or Incredible Hulk, terms.

From The Daily Beast

On a Freudian level, this social stigma against bad mothers reflects a deep-seated anxiety about maternal relationships.

From The Daily Beast

By the early 20th century, Freudian ideas began changing attitudes toward intimacy.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, in an apparent Freudian slip, he said, “We must replace the discredited president.”

From The Daily Beast

Quell is a feral creature; a personification of the Freudian id.

From The Daily Beast

It is only fair to admit that Margaret seems to have been a Freudian herself long before there was a Freud.

From Project Gutenberg

He's a desperate Freudian, you know, and they're not nearly so good as the others.

From Project Gutenberg

The child and the primitive man, as we have long known them in the Freudian theories, live still in us and are indestructible.

From Project Gutenberg

The Freudian view emphasizes the influence of sex; Buckle maintains that the effect of climate is all-powerful.

From Project Gutenberg

That the playwright must have studied the Freudian theories seems more than probable.

From Project Gutenberg