noun
hypochondriac
heye-poh-KOND-ree-ak
Hypochondriac (noun) means a person who is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence. Example: “As a hypochondriac, he googled every headache as a possible tumor.”
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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hypochondriac.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- hypochondriacs
- Comparative
- more hypochondriac
- Superlative
- most hypochondriac
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a _____, he googled every headache as a possible tumor.
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.
Synonyms
View more →
hypochondriacal
valetudinarian
Related words
Rhymes for hypochondriac
zodiac
cardiac
Pontiac
amnesiac
brainiac
insomniac
egomaniac
pyromaniac
aphrodisiac
kleptomaniac
megalomaniac
nymphomaniac
See all rhymes for hypochondriac →
Frequently asked questions
What does “hypochondriac” mean?
The word “hypochondriac” means a person who is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence. In plain terms, someone who constantly worries they're seriously ill, usually without real medical cause.
How do you pronounce “hypochondriac”?
“Hypochondriac” is pronounced heye-poh-KOND-ree-ak (/ˌhaɪpoʊˈkɑndɹiæk/ in IPA).
How do you use “hypochondriac” in a sentence?
Here is “hypochondriac” used in a sentence: “As a hypochondriac, he googled every headache as a possible tumor.”
What part of speech is “hypochondriac”?
Depending on how it is used, “hypochondriac” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “hypochondriac” come from?
The word “hypochondriac” comes from French. 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.
How many meanings does “hypochondriac” have?
“Hypochondriac” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who is excessively and persistently worried about having a serious illness, despite little or no medical evidence.
