psychological

[ sahy-kuh-loj-i-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to psychology.
2. pertaining to the mind or to mental phenomena as the subject matter of psychology.
3. of, pertaining to, dealing with, or affecting the mind, especially as a function of awareness, feeling, or motivation:

   psychological play;

   psychological effect.

psychological

/ ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to psychology
2. of or relating to the mind or mental activity
3. having no real or objective basis; arising in the mind

   his backaches are all psychological

4. affecting the mind

Derived Forms

• ˌpsychoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• psy·cho·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·psy·cho·log·ic adjective
• non·psy·cho·log·i·cal adjective
• pre·psy·cho·log·i·cal adjective
• pseu·do·psy·cho·log·i·cal adjective
• sem·i·psy·cho·log·ic adjective
• sem·i·psy·cho·log·i·cal adjective
• un·psy·cho·log·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychological¹

First recorded in 1785–95; psycholog(y) + -ical

Example Sentences

“Everyone has to make a decision about how much engagement they can tolerate without undermining their psychological well-being,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

And once his kids are older, he may start taking different parts — maybe a psychological thriller or an indie film.

From Los Angeles Times

These soldiers are “trained to withstand a high degree of physical pain and psychological torture”, says Michael Madden, a North Korea expert from the Stimson Center in Washington.

From BBC

The caution was "understandable when spas were first open" but research has shown massage for patients can be "highly beneficial to their physical, psychological, and emotional health and wellbeing", they added.

From BBC

"And to understand that impersonating or pretending to be somebody… it's not victimless. It is very real and its psychological impact is particularly strong."

From BBC

Related Words

• cognitive
• emotional
• intellectual
• mental
• subjective