neurosis - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
neurosis Word Meanings
- a mental condition causing anxiety or obsessive behavior
- a disorder characterized by excessive anxiety
- nervous or psychological distress without a clear external cause
neurosis Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
neurosis Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/njʊəˈrəʊsɪs/
US
/nʊˈroʊsɪs/
neurosis Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'neuro-' (nerve) + '-osis' (condition). Historical origin: Greek 'neura' (nerve) → Latin 'neurosis' → borrowed into English. Memory image: Picture a tangled web of nerves representing anxiety, with a person trapped in the center, signaling disordered thoughts and feelings.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Neurosis is a mental condition marked by persistent anxiety, obsessive thoughts, or compulsive behaviors that disrupt daily life. Historically used by psychologists to describe a broad range of distressing symptoms without a clearly identifiable medical cause, the term has largely given way to more precise diagnoses today. In everyday English, people often use it loosely to mean excessive worry, but clinical use implies a deeper, long lasting pattern rather than a single episode. The illustration of a tangled nervous system personifies how conflicting inner signals generate distress without an external trigger.
Usage Reminders
- Neurosis is an older, broad term; modern psychology uses more specific diagnoses.
- Do not treat it as a single episode of anxiety.
- Use mainly in historical or literary contexts.
- Be aware of potential stigma when learners encounter the word.
- When teaching, contrast neurosis with clinical terms like anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Common Misconceptions
- It is a modern clinical diagnosis
- It always means a severe mental illness
- It implies a fixed personality flaw
- It can explain every anxious feeling
- It is the same as anxiety disorder
Thinking Differences
A quick note for English speakers: neurosis is a historical term that today is largely replaced by more precise diagnoses; learners should focus on contrasts with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
Learning Tips
- Learn the historical sense first, then the narrower clinical meanings
- Notice collocations with anxiety and obsessive behaviors
- Avoid using neurosis to describe ordinary worry in formal writing
- Compare with neural/medical terms to avoid confusion
- Be mindful of stigma when discussing the term
- Practice with historical texts or case studies
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'neurosis'?
A.An intense form of relaxation
B.A physical illness caused by germs
C.A psychological disorder characterized by anxiety, emotions, and behavior that are excessive but do not involve a loss of touch with reality
D.A person who is always happy
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'neurosis' correctly?
A.His neurosis about cleanliness led him to wash his hands excessively.
B.She experienced neurosis when she decided to start jogging in the park.
C.Cooking is a neurosis he developed after learning to bake.
D.The neurosis of the vegetable garden made it flourish beyond belief.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'neurosis'?
A.OCD
B.Happiness
C.Motivation
D.Excitement
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'neurosis'?
A.Stress
B.Calmness
C.Anxiety
D.Panic
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life situation that embodies a neurosis?
A.An athlete trains passionately for a competition.
B.Someone happily chats with friends at a café.
C.A person feels compelled to organize their books in alphabetical order.
D.A child plays joyfully in the park.
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