psychoanalytic

American  

[sahy-koh-an-l-it-ik] / ˌsaɪ koʊˌæn lˈɪt ɪk /

Also psychoanalytical

adjective

1. involving or using psychoanalysis, a system of theories concerning the relationship between conscious and unconscious psychological processes.

   This course covers many different methodologies, including sociological, psychoanalytic, and ethnographic approaches to literary criticism.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• psychoanalytically
  adverb
• nonpsychoanalytic
  adjective
• postpsychoanalytic
  adjective
• nonpsychoanalytically
  adverb
• nonpsychoanalytical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of psychoanalytic

psycho- ( def. ) + analytic ( def. )

Explanation

When you're describing a type of long-term therapy that focuses on the unconscious mind, use the adjective psychoanalytic. The original psychoanalytic practitioner was Sigmund Freud, who developed the theory known as psychoanalysis in the 1890s. A therapist who uses psychoanalytic methods might help you interpret your dreams and explore forgotten childhood events in order to find the unconscious source of your anxious feelings. Psychoanalytic theory is employed outside of psychology, too — it's been used to analyze things like literature and art. Psychoanalytic is rooted in the Greek psykhē, "the soul, mind, or spirit."

Example Sentences

No, I tend never to watch again because I always get too freaked out and too critical and psychoanalytic and self-analytical.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

In psychoanalytic jargon we often say, “No one likes being the ‘bad object.’”

From New York Times • May 16, 2023

She scaled back her private psychoanalytic practice, and she embraced this scientific approach to addiction.

From Scientific American • Apr. 20, 2023

Yet the portmanteau for that volatile feeling — hangry — only dates back to mid-20th century America, with a casual reference in a psychoanalytic journal.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2023

In terms of psychoanalytic theory, it had very little to do with the human mind.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok