psychological

Sometimes psy·cho·log·ic

[sahy-kuh-loj-i-kuhl]

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.

psychological

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychological¹

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

Example Sentences

The writer and director won an Oscar for Promising Young Woman in 2021, but is best known for last year's psychological thriller Saltburn, which gained cult status for a succession of provocative and confrontational scenes.

From BBC

Maybe, the lawyer muses, at least that guy could have benefited from psychological counseling to become a “productive member of society.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said the growth of online platforms had opened new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit victims "causing both financial loss and psychological harm".

From BBC

Taylor’s mom just doesn’t trust leaving her daughter, a psychological arsonist, home alone.

From Los Angeles Times

The Teenage Cancer Trust said the psychological distress from changes to appearance caused by cancer and treatment were often overlooked. 

From BBC

Related Words

• cognitive 
• emotional 
• intellectual 
• mental 
• subjective