hypnotic

[hip-not-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to hypnosis or hypnotism.

2. inducing or like something that induces hypnosis.

3. susceptible to hypnotism, as a person.

4. inducing sleep.

noun

1. an agent or drug that produces sleep; sedative.

2. a person who is susceptible to hypnosis.

3. a person under the influence of hypnotism.

hypnotic

/ hɪpˈnɒtɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or producing hypnosis or sleep

2. (of a person) susceptible to hypnotism

noun

1. a drug or agent that induces sleep

2. a person susceptible to hypnosis

Other Word Forms

• hypnotically adverb
• antihypnotic adjective
• antihypnotically adverb
• nonhypnotic adjective
• nonhypnotically adverb
• prehypnotic adjective
• unhypnotic adjective
• unhypnotically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypnotic¹

1680–90; < Late Latin hypnōticus < Greek hypnōtikós sleep-inducing, narcotic, equivalent to hypnō- (variant stem of hypnoûn to put to sleep; Hypnos ) + -tikos -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hypnotic¹

C17: from Late Latin hypnōticus, from Greek hupnōtikos, from hupnoun to put to sleep, from hupnos sleep

Example Sentences

In their place are intravenous agents - most notably propofol, the hypnotic made infamous by Michael Jackson's death but prized in operating theatres for its rapid onset and clean recovery.

Read more on BBC

A recent hypnotic percussion piece of diced rhythms and pureed textures is called “the so-called laws of nature.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Old Timothy never let up his hypnotic murmuring.

Read more on Literature

This should come as no surprise, for in Miss Lumley’s day, séances, Ouija boards, hypnotic healings, and the like were very much in fashion.

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The hypnotic sound of the Maury River 100 feet away set the stage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• mesmerizing 
• soothing