neurotic

/njuə'rɔtik/

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Word: Neurotic

Part of Speech: Adjective (also can be used as a noun)

Definition: The word "neurotic" describes someone who has emotional problems, often feeling anxious, worried, or overly sensitive. It can refer to a person who has a mental health condition known as neurosis, which can lead to feelings of fear or anxiety without a clear reason.

Usage Instructions:

• As an adjective: You can use "neurotic" to describe someone’s behavior or feelings. For example, "She is acting neurotic about the upcoming test."
• As a noun: You can also use "neurotic" to refer to a person who has these emotional issues. For example, "He is a neurotic when it comes to cleanliness."

Example Sentences:

1. Adjective: "After the stressful week, I felt a bit neurotic and couldn't relax."
2. Noun: "He’s a neurotic who worries about everything, even small things."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, "neurotic" may be used in psychological or clinical contexts to describe specific types of anxiety disorders. For example: - "Her neurotic tendencies were evident in her compulsive behaviors."

Word Variants:

• Neurosis (noun): A condition of emotional disturbance.
• Neuroticism (noun): The tendency to experience negative emotions.

Different Meanings:

While "neurotic" primarily refers to emotional disorders, it can also be used informally to describe someone who is overly anxious or high-strung about a situation.

Synonyms:

• Anxious
• Worrying
• Obsessive
• Compulsive

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

Although there aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "neurotic," you might hear phrases that describe anxiety or stress, such as: - "On edge" - feeling anxious or nervous. - "In a tizzy" - being overly excited or anxious about something.

Summary:

In summary, "neurotic" is an adjective that describes someone who experiences anxiety or emotional difficulties. It can also be used as a noun for someone with these traits.

Academic

Adjective

1. affected with emotional disorder
2. characteristic of or affected by neurosis
   • neurotic disorder
   • neurotic symptoms

Noun

1. a person suffering from neurosis

Synonyms

• psychoneurotic
• mental case