Pathological
/ˌpæθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or caused by physical or mental disease; diseased or caused by disease.
/ˌpæθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
Relating to or caused by disease.
The doctor ordered a pathological examination of the suspicious growth.
💡 Simply: When something's 'pathological,' it means it's connected to a disease or illness. Like, if someone has a 'pathological' fear, they're super, super scared, maybe even more than they should be, like it's actually caused by a problem.
👶 For kids: If something is pathological, it means it has to do with a sickness or problem in the body or the mind.
More Examples
His pathological fear of spiders made it difficult for him to enjoy the outdoors.
The research focused on pathological conditions affecting the brain.
How It's Used
"The pathologist examined the pathological changes in the tissue sample."
"He showed pathological symptoms of anxiety after the accident."
Compulsive; extreme and uncontrolled; behaving in a way that is extreme, excessive, and/or uncontrollable.
/ˌpæθəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/
Compulsive; extreme.
The detective suspected the criminal had a pathological obsession with the victim.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'pathological' means someone does something way too much, like they can't stop. If someone is a 'pathological liar,' they lie all the time, even when they don't need to.
👶 For kids: When something is pathological, it's like it's doing something too much or in a way that's not normal.
More Examples
His pathological gambling addiction destroyed his family.
A pathological need for control dominated the relationship.
How It's Used
"Her pathological need for approval made her a people-pleaser."
"He was a pathological liar, unable to tell the truth."
Synonyms
Abnormal
Diseased
Medical
Morbid
Compulsive
Excessive
Extreme
Obsessive
Idioms & expressions
pathological liar
Someone who lies compulsively and frequently, often without apparent motive.
"The investigation revealed that the witness was a pathological liar and could not be trusted."
From Greek *pathos* (suffering, disease) and suffix *-logical*, indicating 'relating to the study of disease'. The term entered medical and scientific discourse in the 19th century.
The term gained prominence in the 19th century with the development of modern medicine and the study of diseases at a cellular level.
Memory tip
Think of a *path* that has *logic* and *als* (illness). Diseases travel on this pathological path.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: pathos