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noun Uncommon

psychosis

seye-KOH-sihs

Psychosis (noun) means a severe mental condition in which a person loses touch with reality, often involving hallucinations or delusions. Example: “His untreated illness eventually progressed into full-blown psychosis.”

noun
1
A severe mental condition in which a person loses touch with reality, often involving hallucinations or delusions.
"His untreated illness eventually progressed into full-blown psychosis."

How to use psychosis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA serious break from reality where a person may hear or see things that aren't there or hold false beliefs.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
episode of psychosis postpartum psychosis

Word forms

psychoses plural

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His untreated illness eventually progressed into full-blown _____.

Etymology

From psych- + the medical suffix -osis, or directly from Greek psukhōsis ("animation, principle of life").

Origin: Greek

Rhymes for psychosis

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Frequently asked questions

What does “psychosis” mean?

The word “psychosis” means a severe mental condition in which a person loses touch with reality, often involving hallucinations or delusions. In plain terms, a serious break from reality where a person may hear or see things that aren't there or hold false beliefs.

How do you pronounce “psychosis”?

“Psychosis” is pronounced seye-KOH-sihs (/saɪˈkoʊsɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “psychosis” in a sentence?

Here is “psychosis” used in a sentence: “His untreated illness eventually progressed into full-blown psychosis.”

What part of speech is “psychosis”?

“Psychosis” is a noun.

Where does the word “psychosis” come from?

The word “psychosis” comes from Greek. From psych- + the medical suffix -osis, or directly from Greek psukhōsis ("animation, principle of life").

Is “psychosis” a common word?

“Psychosis” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial