noun
psycho
SEYE-koh
noun
1
An informal, often derogatory term for someone perceived as mentally disturbed or dangerously unstable.
"The movie villain was played as a total psycho."
adj
1
Describing someone or something wild, unhinged, or dangerously crazy.
"He went psycho when he found out his car had been towed."
How to Use Psycho
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA blunt, casual (and often offensive) way to call someone crazy or dangerously unstable.
When to use it
Very informal and can be considered offensive or stigmatizing toward people with mental illness — avoid in clinical or polite contexts.
Common pairings
go psycho
total psycho
Word Forms
more psycho comparative, psychos plural, most psycho superlative
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The movie villain was played as a total _____.
Etymology
A shortening of "psychotic" or "psychopath."