Rorschach test

American  

[rawr-shahk, rohr-] / ˈrɔr ʃɑk, ˈroʊr- /

noun

Psychology.

1. a test for revealing the underlying personality structure of an individual by the use of a standard series of 10 inkblot designs to which the subject responds by telling what image or emotion each design evokes.

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Rorschach test British  

/ ˈrɔrʃax, ˈrɔːʃɑːk /

noun

1. psychol a personality test consisting of a number of unstructured ink blots presented for interpretation

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Rorschach test Scientific  

/ rôr′shäk′,-shäkh′ /

1. A psychological test in which a subject's interpretations of a series of standard inkblots are analyzed as an indication of personality traits, preoccupations, and conflicts. The test is named after its inventor, Swiss psychiatrist and neurologist Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922).

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Rorschach test Cultural  

1. A test for personality traits that relies on the subject's interpretations of a series of inkblots. The test was developed by Hermann Rorschach, a Swiss psychiatrist of the twentieth century.

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Etymology

Origin of Rorschach test

1925–30; named after Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922), Swiss psychiatrist

Example Sentences

I see this as an interesting Rorschach test for companies.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

With the devastating prospect of a labor apocalypse threatening baseball’s future, the Milwaukee Brewers have emerged as a major-league Rorschach test.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

But one particular photo of Kabosu in 2010 broke through: eyebrows raised and with a look, much like a Rorschach test, that could be read as knowing, mischievous or amused.

From New York Times • May 24, 2024

I won’t weigh in on the Rorschach test.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2024

It was a Rorschach test for the incurably insane.

From Violists by McGowan, Richard