hypochondriac
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.”
How to use hypochondriac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who constantly worries they're seriously ill, usually without real medical cause.
Word forms
more hypochondriac comparative, hypochondriacs plural, most hypochondriac superlative
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.
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.