adj

neurotic

noor-RO-tihk

adj

Excessively anxious or emotionally unstable.

"He gets neurotic about being late for meetings."

"She admits she is a bit neurotic about cleanliness."

noun

A person prone to excessive anxiety or nervous behavior.

"His friends jokingly call him a neurotic over his constant worrying."

How to Use Neurotic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOverly anxious or nervous, often about small things.

Common pairings

neurotic behavior get neurotic about a bit neurotic

neurotics plural

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He gets _____ about being late for meetings.

From neuro- ("nerve") plus -otic ("having a condition"), tracing back to Greek neuron ("nerve"). In use since the 17th century.

jitterbug nervous wreck obsessive worrywart

obsessive wiener jitterbug worrier

exotic erotic robotic chaotic idiotic narcotic hypnotic amniotic patriotic symbiotic psychotic antibiotic

jitterbug nervous wreck obsessive worrywart wiener worrier