noun

pronoia

proh-NOY-uh

Quiz me More like this

Pronoia (noun) means the belief that other people are secretly working together to do you good. Example: “Her friends joked that she suffered from pronoia, since she assumed everyone wanted her to succeed.”

noun

The belief that other people are secretly working together to do you good.

"Her friends joked that she suffered from pronoia, since she assumed everyone wanted her to succeed."

"He described his outlook as pronoia, the opposite of paranoia."

"The columnist wrote about pronoia as a cheerful way of seeing the world."

How to use pronoia

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe cheerful belief that the world is quietly working in your favor.

When to use it

It is an uncommon word, mostly found in psychology and in playful writing.

Memory tip

Say it like paranoia with pro- in front, since the two words are opposites.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

paranoia →

Common pairings

a sense of pronoia pronoia and paranoia the opposite of paranoia a touch of pronoia

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like pronoia.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her friends joked that she suffered from _____, since she assumed everyone wanted her to succeed.

Etymology

Pronoia was formed from pro- and paranoia. The American sociologist Fred H. Goldner coined it in a paper presented in 1981.

Origin: English

Antonyms

paranoia

Related words

paranoia nous

Rhymes for pronoia

Odia aria ataxia abulia Latvia acacia LGBTQIA ectasia hryvnia begonia anaemia Estonia

See all rhymes for pronoia →

Frequently asked questions

What does pronoia mean?

Pronoia is the belief that people are conspiring to do you good. It is the opposite of paranoia.

How do you pronounce pronoia?

In American English it is pronounced proh-NOY-uh, with the stress on the middle syllable.

Who coined the word pronoia?

The sociologist Fred H. Goldner coined it in 1981.

What is the meaning of pronoia?

"pronoia" (noun) means the belief that other people are secretly working together to do you good.

People also searched

paranoia nous