psychological
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to psychology.
-
pertaining to the mind or to mental phenomena as the subject matter of psychology.
-
of, pertaining to, dealing with, or affecting the mind, especially as a function of awareness, feeling, or motivation.
psychological play;
psychological effect.
adjective
-
of or relating to psychology
-
of or relating to the mind or mental activity
-
having no real or objective basis; arising in the mind
his backaches are all psychological
-
affecting the mind
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:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These gatherings offer not only political expression but psychological alignment—a sense of being among others who see the world the same way.
I often wonder about the psychological effect on participants as their lives are laid bare for all to see.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.