Rorschach test

American  

[rawr-shahk, rohr-] / ˈrɔr ʃɑk, ˈroʊr- /

noun

Psychology.

1. a test for revealing the underlying personality structure of an individual by the use of a standard series of 10 inkblot designs to which the subject responds by telling what image or emotion each design evokes.

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Rorschach test British  

/ ˈrɔrʃax, ˈrɔːʃɑːk /

noun

1. psychol a personality test consisting of a number of unstructured ink blots presented for interpretation

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Rorschach test Scientific  

/ rôr′shäk′,-shäkh′ /

1. A psychological test in which a subject's interpretations of a series of standard inkblots are analyzed as an indication of personality traits, preoccupations, and conflicts. The test is named after its inventor, Swiss psychiatrist and neurologist Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922).

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Rorschach test Cultural  

1. A test for personality traits that relies on the subject's interpretations of a series of inkblots. The test was developed by Hermann Rorschach, a Swiss psychiatrist of the twentieth century.

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Etymology

Origin of Rorschach test

1925–30; named after Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922), Swiss psychiatrist

Example Sentences

I see this as an interesting Rorschach test for companies.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

It was TV as Rorschach test, where some viewers interpreted Archie as the hero and Mike as the fool, while others understood that Lear was on Mike’s side of every argument.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

But as the movement grew, new interpretations spread, transforming the pink hats into a Rorschach test for where you were in the zeitgeist.

From Slate • Jan. 29, 2026

So much to see, so much to consider in a place that has transformed into a Rorschach test for how some people see the challenges of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

The Application of the Rorschach test to young children.

From U.S. Copyright Renewals, 1974 January - June by Library of Congress. Copyright Office