Freudian slip

American

noun

(in Freudian psychology) an inadvertent mistake in speech or writing that is thought to reveal a person's unconscious motives, wishes, or attitudes.

Freudian slip British

noun

any action, such as a slip of the tongue, that may reveal an unconscious thought

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Freudian slip Cultural

An error in speech that reveals repressed thoughts or feelings; for example, accidentally calling one's wife “Mom.”

Etymology

Origin of Freudian slip

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Freudian slip

After the opening day's action, Draper made a Freudian slip which initially proved quite telling.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2025

Media Research Center commentator Patrick Taylor asked: “Nonsensical word salad, Freudian slip, or legitimately concerning political argument?”

From Washington Times ● Jul. 25, 2022

Call it a Freudian slip or a brain freeze or history having its revenge.

From New York Times ● Jun. 8, 2022

"George W. Bush didn't do a Freudian slip," wrote political commentator John Fugelsang.

From Salon ● May 19, 2022

I just found a cute little Freudian slip in these notes and—" "Shut up.

From Ten From Infinity by Paul W. Fairman

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023