psychological

American  

[sahy-kuh-loj-i-kuhl] / ˌsaɪ kəˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

Sometimes psychologic

adjective

1. of or relating to psychology.

2. pertaining to the mind or to mental phenomena as the subject matter of psychology.

3. of, pertaining to, dealing with, or affecting the mind, especially as a function of awareness, feeling, or motivation.

   psychological play;

   psychological effect.

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psychological British  

/ ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to psychology

2. of or relating to the mind or mental activity

3. having no real or objective basis; arising in the mind

   his backaches are all psychological

4. affecting the mind

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Other Word Forms

• nonpsychologic adjective
• nonpsychological adjective
• prepsychological adjective
• pseudopsychological adjective
• psychologically adverb
• semipsychologic adjective
• semipsychological adjective
• unpsychological adjective

Etymology

Origin of psychological

First recorded in 1785–95; psycholog(y) + -ical

Compare meaning

How does psychological compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• physiological vs. psychological

Example Sentences

The “everyone” aspect of airports is likely part of the psychological dynamic here.

From Salon

The number has been a psychological threshold for many consumers, according to a 2022 AAA survey.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a signed statement, she said no culture justified violating women and girls, praised police for recent arrests, and encouraged victims to seek medical and psychological support.

From BBC

I greatly admire your column for both its financial insights and its understanding of the psychological and family dynamics behind these decisions.

From MarketWatch

The latest strikes have sowed panic and more psychological stress among the prison population.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cognitive
• emotional
• intellectual
• mental
• subjective