paranoid

American  

[par-uh-noid] / ˈpær əˌnɔɪd /

Archaic, paranoiac;

adjective

1. of, like, or experiencing paranoia.

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noun

1. a person with paranoia.

paranoid British  

/ ˈpærəˌnɔɪd /

adjective

1. of, characterized by, or resembling paranoia

2. informal exhibiting undue suspicion, fear of persecution, etc

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noun

1. a person who shows the behaviour patterns associated with paranoia

Usage

What does paranoid mean? Paranoid is an adjective used to describe someone who has the mental disorder paranoia, which is characterized by delusions and feelings of extreme distrust, suspicion, and being targeted by others. Such thoughts and actions can also be described as paranoid. Paranoid is also commonly used more generally to mean overly suspicious or irrationally distrustful of others. It’s important to understand that while paranoid is used generally outside of its psychiatric usage in a way that makes it seem less serious, being paranoid is a major symptom of disorders like paranoid schizophrenia and paranoid personality disorder. Example: Just because I lock my doors at night doesn’t mean I’m being paranoid—it just means I’m being cautious.

Etymology

Origin of paranoid

First recorded in 1900–05; paranoi(a) + -oid, with base and suffix merged, perhaps by shortening of the expected but unrecorded paranoioid

Explanation

Someone who is paranoid has an irrational and obsessive distrust of others, like your paranoid friend who worries that everyone from the principal to the neighborhood pre-schoolers are out to get him. A paranoid person suffers from paranoia, the unreasonable fear or irrational belief that other people are plotting to harm him or her. How can you spot paranoid people? They tend to obsess over other people talking about them. They believe there are no accidents or coincidences — the cafeteria running out of fries just as they reach the front of the line — just plans to hurt, embarrass, or otherwise bring them down.

Example Sentences

She had paranoid schizophrenia among other mental health conditions.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Foreign policy analysts would normally consider distraction to be a lazy and unprofessional explanation for major actions like wars, if not a symptom of paranoid conspiracy thinking.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

He was very paranoid, asking staff to witness their conversation.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

“Only the paranoid survive,” added Lake, who is among the leaders viewed as a potential successor to Dimon.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

He was more paranoid than usual, and in prison usual is very, and is a survival skill.

From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman