noun
psychobabble
SEYE-kohbabl
noun
1
Psychology jargon used pretentiously to describe ordinary problems, making them sound more complex than they are.
"His speech was full of psychobabble about "actualizing his authentic self.""
How to Use Psychobabble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEmpty, jargon-heavy talk that borrows psychology terms to sound deep without saying much.
When to use it
Usually used dismissively or mockingly.
Word Forms
psychobabbled past tense, psychobabbles singular
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His speech was full of _____ about "actualizing his authentic self."
Etymology
Blend of psycho- and babble, first used around 1975 by writer R.D. Rosen.