noun
hypochondriac
heye-poh-KOND-ree-ak
noun
1
A person who is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence.
"As a hypochondriac, he googled every headache as a possible tumor."
adjective
1
Relating to or affected by this kind of excessive health anxiety.
"Her hypochondriac tendencies meant frequent, unnecessary doctor visits."
How to Use Hypochondriac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who constantly worries they're seriously ill, usually without real medical cause.
Common pairings
a total hypochondriac
hypochondriac tendencies
Word Forms
more hypochondriac comparative, hypochondriacs plural, most hypochondriac superlative
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Etymology
From French hypocondriaque, from Greek hypokhondriakos, literally "of the region below the ribs" — ancient physicians once linked that area of the body to melancholy and health anxiety.
Rhymes for hypochondriac
zodiac
cardiac
Pontiac
amnesiac
brainiac
insomniac
egomaniac
pyromaniac
aphrodisiac
kleptomaniac
megalomaniac
nymphomaniac
See all rhymes for hypochondriac →