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adj C1 Advanced Common

psychiatric

seye-kee-AT-rihk

Psychiatric (adj) means relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness. Example: “He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the breakdown.”

adj
1
Relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness.
"He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the breakdown."

How to use psychiatric

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving to do with diagnosing or treating mental illness medically.

Common pairings
psychiatric hospital psychiatric care psychiatric disorder psychiatric evaluation

Word forms

psychiatrics plural

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Fill the gap

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He was admitted to a _____ hospital after the breakdown.

Etymology

From psychiatry plus the adjective suffix -ic.

psychiatrical

Rhymes for psychiatric

See all rhymes for psychiatric →

Frequently asked questions

What does “psychiatric” mean?

The word “psychiatric” means relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness. In plain terms, having to do with diagnosing or treating mental illness medically.

How do you pronounce “psychiatric”?

“Psychiatric” is pronounced seye-kee-AT-rihk (/ˌsaɪ.kiˈæt.ɹɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “psychiatric” in a sentence?

Here is “psychiatric” used in a sentence: “He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the breakdown.”

What part of speech is “psychiatric”?

“Psychiatric” is an adjective.

Is “psychiatric” a common word?

“Psychiatric” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

What is the difference between "psychiatric" and "psychological"?

"Psychiatric" relates to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness, which is led by doctors and can involve medication. "Psychological" relates more broadly to the mind, thoughts, and behaviour, and to the wider field of psychology, which is not primarily medical.

What is the difference between "psychiatric" and "mental"?

"Mental" relates broadly to the mind, while "psychiatric" relates specifically to psychiatry and its medical treatment of mental illness. A "psychiatric hospital," for instance, is one that specialises in treating mental health conditions.

What nouns commonly follow "psychiatric"?

Frequent pairings include "psychiatric hospital," "psychiatric care," "psychiatric evaluation," "psychiatric nurse," and "psychiatric disorder." Each connects to psychiatry, the medical field concerned with treating mental illness.

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