adj
neurotic
noor-RO-tihk
Neurotic (adj) means Excessively anxious or emotionally unstable. Example: “He gets neurotic about being late for meetings.”
adj
1
Excessively anxious or emotionally unstable.
"He gets neurotic about being late for meetings."
"She admits she is a bit neurotic about cleanliness."
noun
1
A person prone to excessive anxiety or nervous behavior.
"His friends jokingly call him a neurotic over his constant worrying."
How to use neurotic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOverly anxious or nervous, often about small things.
Common pairings
neurotic behavior
get neurotic about
a bit neurotic
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Word forms
- Plural
- neurotics
Fill the gap
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He gets _____ about being late for meetings.
Etymology
From neuro- ("nerve") plus -otic ("having a condition"), tracing back to Greek neuron ("nerve"). In use since the 17th century.
Class of 1600
neurotic joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unneurotic
Related words
Rhymes for neurotic
biotic
exotic
erotic
robotic
chaotic
idiotic
narcotic
hypnotic
amniotic
probiotic
patriotic
symbiotic
See all rhymes for neurotic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “neurotic” mean?
The word “neurotic” means excessively anxious or emotionally unstable. In plain terms, overly anxious or nervous, often about small things.
How do you pronounce “neurotic”?
“Neurotic” is pronounced noor-RO-tihk (/n(j)ʊəˈɹɒtɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “neurotic” in a sentence?
Here is “neurotic” used in a sentence: “He gets neurotic about being late for meetings.”
What is another word for “neurotic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “neurotic” include jitterbug, nervous wreck, obsessive and worrywart.
What part of speech is “neurotic”?
Depending on how it is used, “neurotic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “neurotic” come from?
The word “neurotic” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Greek. From neuro- ("nerve") plus -otic ("having a condition"), tracing back to Greek neuron ("nerve"). In use since the 17th century.
How many meanings does “neurotic” have?
“Neurotic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: excessively anxious or emotionally unstable.
