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adj C1 Advanced Common

psychiatric

seye-kee-AT-rihk
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Psychiatric (adj) means relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness. Example: “She works as a psychiatric nurse on a ward for young people.”

adj
1
Relating to psychiatry, the medical treatment of mental illness.
"She works as a psychiatric nurse on a ward for young people."
"The clinic offers psychiatric care to anyone struggling with severe anxiety."
"He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital after the breakdown."
"Some women with postpartum depression and thyroid imbalance may require antidepressants and psychiatric therapy." — Ridha Arem, The Thyroid Solution (1999)

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
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Word forms

Plural
psychiatrics
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Fill the gap

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She works as a _____ nurse on a ward for young people.

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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