neurotic

¹

[ noo-rot-ik, nyoo- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of neurosis.

noun

1. a neurotic person.

neurotic

²

[ noo-rot-ik, nyoo- ]

adjective

, Pathology.

1. pertaining to the nerves or to nerve disease; neural: no longer in technical use.

neurotic

/ njʊˈrɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or afflicted by neurosis

noun

1. a person who is afflicted with a neurosis or who tends to be emotionally unstable or unusually anxious

Derived Forms

• neuˈrotically, adverb

Other Words From

• neu·rotic·al·ly adverb
• semi·neu·roti·cal·ly adverb
• unneu·roti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of neurotic¹

First recorded in 1870–75; neur(osis) + -otic

Origin of neurotic²

First recorded in 1765–75; neuro- + -tic

Example Sentences

“I was ignored and made to feel like a neurotic mum - nobody was listening,” Christina says.

From BBC

It’s a sinister mode of decadence — decadent minimalism, where overt virtue signaling meets seemingly neurotic purity fantasies, where customers dance in the glow of the glare on bulk bins.

From Los Angeles Times

"Today’s young women know that neurotic isn’t cute. Cute isn’t cute. Neither is flustered, madcap, zany, flighty, flaky, harried or hapless - all adjectives that apply to Bridget."

From BBC

He is the opposite of that, a shaky, neurotic, small, insecure man who has little belief in himself.

From Salon

The young cast largely carries it, especially Gabriel LaBelle, last seen as Steven Spielberg in “The Fabelmans” and here as Michaels, making a lane for himself as neurotic versions of modern artists in creative ascent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compulsive
• distraught
• disturbed
• manic
• obsessive