hypochondriac Definition
a person who is abnormally anxious about their health, often fearing that they are seriously ill despite medical reassurance.
Using hypochondriac: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "hypochondriac" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He's such a hypochondriac that he thinks every headache is a brain tumor.
Example
She's always worried about her health, but she's not really sick. She's just a hypochondriac.
Example
The doctor told him he was fine, but he didn't believe it because he's a hypochondriac.
hypochondriac Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with hypochondriac
an excessive preoccupation with one's health, characterized by persistent fear of having a serious illness despite medical reassurance
Example
His hypochondriacal neurosis made him constantly worry about his health.
a false belief that one has a serious illness despite medical reassurance
Example
Her hypochondriacal delusion made her believe that she had cancer even though all her tests came back negative.
a mental disorder characterized by excessive preoccupation with one's health, often accompanied by somatic symptoms
Example
His hypochondriacal disorder made him visit the doctor every week, even though he was perfectly healthy.
Origins of hypochondriac
from Late Latin 'hypochondriacus', from Greek 'hupokhondriakos', from 'hupokhondria' meaning 'the soft part of the body below the ribs and above the navel'
Summary: hypochondriac in Brief
'Hypochondriac' [ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndriæk] refers to a person who is excessively anxious about their health, often fearing that they are seriously ill despite medical reassurance. It can be characterized as a hypochondriacal neurosis, delusion, or disorder. Synonyms include 'worrier,' 'neurotic,' 'alarmist,' and 'nervous Nellie.'
