noun
Uncommon
psycho
SEYE-koh
Psycho (noun) means an informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable. Example: “The movie villain was played as a total psycho.”
noun
1
An informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable.
"The movie villain was played as a total psycho."
adj
1
Describing someone or something wild, unhinged, or dangerously crazy.
"He went psycho when he found out his car had been towed."
How to use psycho
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blunt, casual (and often offensive) way to call someone crazy or dangerously unstable.
When to use it
Very informal and can be considered offensive or stigmatizing toward people with mental illness — avoid in clinical or polite contexts.
Common pairings
go psycho
total psycho
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Word forms
- Plural
- psychos
- Comparative
- more psycho
- Superlative
- most psycho
Fill the gap
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The movie villain was played as a total _____.
Etymology
A shortening of "psychotic" or "psychopath."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for psycho
See all rhymes for psycho →Frequently asked questions
What does “psycho” mean?
The word “psycho” means an informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable. In plain terms, a blunt, casual (and often offensive) way to call someone crazy or dangerously unstable.
How do you pronounce “psycho”?
“Psycho” is pronounced SEYE-koh (/ˈsaɪ̯.koʊ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “psycho” in a sentence?
Here is “psycho” used in a sentence: “The movie villain was played as a total psycho.”
What part of speech is “psycho”?
Depending on how it is used, “psycho” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “psycho” a common word?
“Psycho” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “psycho” have?
“Psycho” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable.
Is 'psycho' an offensive term?
Yes, psycho is generally considered an informal and often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable. It is best avoided in formal or clinical contexts, where terms describing specific mental health conditions are more appropriate and respectful.
What is the difference between 'psycho' and 'psychopath'?
Psycho is an informal slang shortening often used loosely to describe someone as crazy or unstable, while psychopath is a more specific, though also informal, term historically associated with certain personality traits like a lack of empathy. Neither term is a precise clinical diagnosis in modern psychiatry.
How is 'psycho' used as an adjective?
As an adjective, psycho describes someone or something wild, unhinged, or dangerously crazy, as in 'a psycho ex' or 'that stunt was psycho.' This usage is informal and common in casual speech rather than formal writing.
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