adj
Uncommon
schizophrenic
skiht-suh-FREH-nihk
Schizophrenic (adj) means relating to, or affected by, schizophrenia. Example: “The clinic specializes in treating schizophrenic patients.”
adj
1
Relating to, or affected by, schizophrenia.
"The clinic specializes in treating schizophrenic patients."
2
Loosely, marked by sharply conflicting or contradictory elements.
"The film has a schizophrenic tone, swinging wildly between comedy and horror."
noun
1
A person diagnosed with schizophrenia.
"Many people prefer the phrase "a person with schizophrenia" over calling someone "a schizophrenic"."
How to use schizophrenic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to schizophrenia, or (informally) describing something that seems to pull in wildly different directions at once.
When to use it
Using this word to describe indecisive or inconsistent behavior (rather than the medical condition) can come across as insensitive; many writers now avoid that loose usage.
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Word forms
- Plural
- schizophrenics
- Comparative
- more schizophrenic
- Superlative
- most schizophrenic
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The clinic specializes in treating _____ patients.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for schizophrenic
See all rhymes for schizophrenic →Frequently asked questions
What does “schizophrenic” mean?
The word “schizophrenic” means relating to, or affected by, schizophrenia. In plain terms, relating to schizophrenia, or (informally) describing something that seems to pull in wildly different directions at once.
How do you pronounce “schizophrenic”?
“Schizophrenic” is pronounced skiht-suh-FREH-nihk (/ˌskɪtsəˈfɹɛnɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “schizophrenic” in a sentence?
Here is “schizophrenic” used in a sentence: “The clinic specializes in treating schizophrenic patients.”
What part of speech is “schizophrenic”?
Depending on how it is used, “schizophrenic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “schizophrenic” a common word?
“Schizophrenic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “schizophrenic” have?
“Schizophrenic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to, or affected by, schizophrenia.
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