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adj Uncommon

pathological

path-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl

Pathological (adj) means relating to disease or the study of disease. Example: “The tumour showed pathological changes under the microscope.”

adj
1
Relating to disease or the study of disease.
"The tumour showed pathological changes under the microscope."
2
Extreme, compulsive, or unreasonable, as if caused by a mental disorder.
"He's a pathological liar who can't help himself."

How to use pathological

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither medically related to disease, or, informally, describing behaviour so extreme it seems compulsive or disordered.

Common pairings
pathological liar pathological condition pathologically afraid

Word forms

more pathological comparative, most pathological superlative

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Test yourself on “pathological” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The tumour showed _____ changes under the microscope.

Etymology

From "pathology" plus the adjective suffix "-ical."

Antonyms

well-behaved

Related words

Rhymes for pathological

See all rhymes for pathological →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pathological” mean?

The word “pathological” means relating to disease or the study of disease. In plain terms, either medically related to disease, or, informally, describing behaviour so extreme it seems compulsive or disordered.

How do you pronounce “pathological”?

“Pathological” is pronounced path-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl (/ˌpæθ.əˈlɑd͡ʒ.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “pathological” in a sentence?

Here is “pathological” used in a sentence: “The tumour showed pathological changes under the microscope.”

What is the opposite of “pathological”?

The opposite of “pathological” — its antonyms — is well-behaved.

What part of speech is “pathological”?

“Pathological” is an adjective.

Is “pathological” a common word?

“Pathological” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “pathological” have?

“Pathological” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to disease or the study of disease.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial