neurosis

American  

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-] / nʊˈroʊ sɪs, nyʊ- /

noun

Psychiatry.

plural

neuroses

1. Also called psychoneurosis.  a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.

2. a relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment.

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neurosis British  

/ njʊˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: psychoneurosis.  a relatively mild mental disorder, characterized by symptoms such as hysteria, anxiety, depression, or obsessive behaviour

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neurosis Scientific  

/ n-rō′sĭs /

1. A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity without evidence of neurologic or other organic disease, sometimes accompanied by defensive or immature behaviors. This term is no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.

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neurosis Cultural  

1. A mental disorder marked by anxiety or fear. Neurosis is less severe than psychosis. (See also angst, hysteria, and phobia.)

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Discover More

In popular usage, a “neurotic” is anyone who worries a lot.

Etymology

Origin of neurosis

From New Latin, dating back to 1770–80; see origin at neur-, -osis

Compare meaning

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

• neurosis vs. psychosis

Explanation

If you feel overly anxious and worried, that is a sign of neurosis: a mental illness with no particular cause. Depression, tension, irritability, and nervousness are all symptoms of a mental or emotional disorder called neurosis. When you have a neurosis, you worry so much that it makes life difficult. The difficult thing about neurosis is there’s not something specifically wrong, like with a broken leg or type of cancer. Neurosis is a mental-health issue that can be minor or very serious. It's also very common, and many comedians have made fun of their own neurosis in their work.

Example Sentences

I wouldn’t call it a neurosis, but it’s something that I care about.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

I've just worked on developing better skills to keep myself from talking myself into a place of neurosis.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2025

A victory to flush out any neurosis and compound the belief in their plan.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2024

The problem in such cases, Freud explained, is that when an entire society develops a neurosis, it becomes impossible to gauge what is “normal.”

From Slate • Aug. 18, 2024

I'd sit in front of her desk and make troubled-brow faces which I thought illustrated the deep level of neurosis I represented.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

Related Words

• inhibition