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paranoia

Pronunciation: /ˌparəˈnɔɪə/

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Definition of paranoia

noun

[mass noun]
  • a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically worked into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality.
  • unjustified suspicion and mistrust of other people: mild paranoia afflicts all prime ministers

Derivatives

paranoiac

adjective & noun

paranoiacally

adverb

paranoic

Pronunciation: /-ˈnɔɪɪk/

adjective

paranoically

Pronunciation: /-ˈnɔɪɪk(ə)li/

adverb

Origin:

early 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek, from paranoos 'distracted', from para 'irregular' + noos 'mind'

paranoia in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of paranoia in the US English dictionary