adj
pathological
path-uh-LOJ-ih-kuhl
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 notesIn 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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Etymology
From "pathology" plus the adjective suffix "-ical."