adj
Uncommon
paranoid
PAR-uh-noyd
Paranoid (adj) means suffering from or related to paranoia. Example: “He was diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder.”
adj
1
Suffering from or related to paranoia.
"He was diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder."
"The patient became paranoid and believed that his neighbours were watching him."
"Doctors explained that paranoid thoughts can be a symptom of some illnesses."
2
Showing excessive, unwarranted suspicion or fear.
"Don't get paranoid — nobody's talking about you behind your back."
"The new security cameras made some staff feel paranoid about being watched constantly."
"He grew paranoid that every stranger on the train was following him."
noun
1
A person affected by paranoia.
"The support group was designed for paranoids and their families."
"Doctors say a paranoid may believe that ordinary events are part of a plot."
"Her uncle, a lifelong paranoid, never let anyone else touch his post."
How to use paranoid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOverly suspicious or fearful, often without good reason.
Common pairings
paranoid about
get paranoid
sound paranoid
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Word forms
- Plural
- paranoids
- Comparative
- more paranoid
- Superlative
- most paranoid
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was diagnosed with a _____ personality disorder.
Etymology
From paranoia + the suffix -oid ("resembling, like").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for paranoid
See all rhymes for paranoid →Frequently asked questions
What does “paranoid” mean?
The word “paranoid” means suffering from or related to paranoia. In plain terms, overly suspicious or fearful, often without good reason.
How do you pronounce “paranoid”?
“Paranoid” is pronounced PAR-uh-noyd (/ˈpæɹ.əˌnɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “paranoid” in a sentence?
Here is “paranoid” used in a sentence: “He was diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder.”
What part of speech is “paranoid”?
Depending on how it is used, “paranoid” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “paranoid” a common word?
“Paranoid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “paranoid” have?
“Paranoid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: suffering from or related to paranoia.
What is the difference between paranoid and cautious?
Paranoid describes suspicion or fear that is excessive and unwarranted, while cautious describes reasonable care taken in response to a genuine risk. Calling someone paranoid implies their fear has gone beyond what the situation justifies.
Is it rude to call someone paranoid?
Yes, using paranoid casually to describe someone's normal caution or concern can come across as dismissive, since the word implies their fear is irrational or excessive. It is best used carefully, especially outside clinical or informal joking contexts.
Can paranoid be used as a noun?
Yes, paranoid can function as a noun referring to a person affected by paranoia, though this usage is less common than the adjective form describing suspicion or fear. In everyday speech, people more often use paranoid to describe a feeling or behaviour rather than to label a person outright.
