Paranoid

Paranoid

Adjective / Noun · /ˈpær.ə.nɔɪd/

Definition

(Adjective) (1) (Psychiatry) of or relating to paranoia; characterised by paranoid delusions — a paranoid schizophrenic, paranoid psychosis. (2) In popular use: having an excessive tendency to suspect and mistrust others; being unreasonably or obsessively anxious about perceived threats — don't be so paranoid; I was being paranoid about the deadline. (Noun) a person suffering from paranoia.

Origin

From paranoia + -oid (resembling, of the form of — from Greek -oeides, from eidos, form). Paranoid therefore meaning resembling or of the form of paranoia — having the characteristics of paranoid ideation. The clinical adjective forming from paranoia in the late nineteenth century as psychiatric classification developed. The popular adjectival use expanding from the clinical throughout the twentieth century.