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psycho

C2
nounadjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /sˈaɪkəʊ/

US

  • /ˈsaɪkoʊ/

Description

The word "psycho" is an informal slang term, and it is often rude or offensive. People usually use it to describe someone they see as dangerous, violent, wildly unstable, or very strange. It often suggests fear or anger rather than a careful description of a real mental health condition.

You might hear someone call an aggressive driver a "psycho" or describe a horror movie character as "a total psycho." Sometimes people also use it as exaggeration for someone acting extreme or out of control. Because of that, the word can sound harsh and unfair, especially when used about real people.

Examples

  1. 1

    Crime thriller

    The thriller is about a psycho who breaks into people's houses.

  2. 2

    Insulting label

    Stay away from him. He's a complete psycho.

    • Caution

      psycho is informal and insulting, so it is rude to use about a real person

  3. 3

    Loss of control

    My neighbor went psycho when I asked him to turn the music down.

    • Phrase

      go psycho

      suddenly become very angry or out of control

  4. 4

    Relationship insult

    She wrote a song about her psycho ex.

  5. 5

    Media accusation

    The newspapers made the suspect sound like some kind of psycho before the trial.

Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • psychonounadjective

Forms

  • psychospluralnounadjective