neurotic
UK/nju'rɒtik/US
IELTSC2
Definitions
adj.
Excessively anxious, obsessive, or emotionally unstable
神经质的，过度焦虑、强迫或情绪不稳的
n.
A person suffering from neurosis or behaving in an excessively anxious way
神经症患者；神经质的人
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedThe adjective of neurosis: -osis turns into -otic (the same shift in psychosis→psychotic, hypnosis→hypnotic). So neurotic = 'having to do with neurosis' → excessively anxious or obsessive.
Root neur still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
In everyday English neurotic has drifted far from any clinical meaning. Calling a friend 'neurotic' just means they fuss, worry, and over-analyze — it's casual, often half-joking, and implies no real diagnosis.
Common Collocations
- 1.neurotic behavior神经质的行为
- 2.neurotic tendency神经质倾向
- 3.neurotic about something对某事神经兮兮
Example Sentences
- 1.
Stop being so neurotic about every tiny mistake.
- 2.
She gets neurotic whenever a deadline approaches.
- 3.
He's a hopeless neurotic who checks the door lock five times.