schizoid

1 of 2

adjective

schiz·​oid ˈskit-ˌsȯid 

1

: having mutually contradictory or antagonistic parts : changing frequently between opposite states

… the show deftly exposes the schizoid personality of the decade, which moved from conservatism to pop-culture hedonism in the batting of a false eyelash.

—John Duka

It's not her fault that the character … seems more than a little schizoid—one minute acting like a confirmed colonialist, the next spouting stirring multiculturalist speeches.

—David Ansen

2

psychology

a

: of, relating to, or having a personality characterized especially by emotional and social detachment, indifference, and lack of affect : affected by schizoid personality disorder

It is crucial that those involved in the care of the schizoid patient are able to accept the patient's lack of communication and need to withdraw, without resigning from treatment.

—Birgitte Thylstrup and Morten Hesse

b

: characterized by, resulting from, tending toward, or suggestive of schizophrenia

That he is now free of schizoid symptoms, and that his personality survived intact without benefit of psychiatric care, make this book a testimonial against the "medical model" of schizophrenia that declares it an incurable disease.

—Scott Vickers

schizoid

2 of 2

noun

plural schizoids

: a person affected with schizoid personality disorder

… extreme schizoids seem impervious to all emotion—even anger, depression, and anxiety—not just to joy and pleasure.

—Theodore Millon et al.

Examples of schizoid in a Sentence

Adjective

With his schizoid nature, you never know whether he will disagree or agree with you.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The idea of a schizoid Lady M is not entirely without appeal, but despite strong performances across the board, the work runs aground fast. —Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

The entire movie, of course, was a goof, a schizoid cardboard Vaudeville horror burlesque shot in two days and a night by Roger Corman. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Why not make a of couple bucks off your other 21st-century schizoid man? —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024

Less than 1% of individuals develop schizoid personality disorder.5 What Causes Schizoid Personality Disorder? —Jessica Migala, Health, 17 Nov. 2023

There's no way to prevent schizoid or other personality disorders. —Jessica Migala, Health, 17 Nov. 2023

For example, a mathematician with a schizoid personality might be perfectly comfortable calculating in solitude. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2023

Acting isn't schizoid like that. —Glenn Garner, PEOPLE.com, 13 Mar. 2022

She was described in the ratings as the highest scorer on paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, avoidant and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder of all the characters (see figure 2). —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 9 Aug. 2012

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from German, from Schizophrenie schizophrenia + -oid -oid entry 2

Noun

derivative of schizoid entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing schizoid

• schizoid personality
• schizoid personality disorder

Medical Definition

schizoid

1 of 2 adjective

schiz·​oid ˈskit-ˌsȯid 

1

: of, relating to, having, or being a personality characterized especially by emotional and social detachment, indifference, and lack of affect : affected by schizoid personality disorder

schizoid personalities

It is crucial that those involved in the care of the schizoid patient are able to accept the patient's lack of communication and need to withdraw …

—Birgitte Thylstrup and Morten Hesse

2

: characterized by, resulting from, tending toward, or suggestive of schizophrenia

schizoid behavior

schizoid

2 of 2 noun

: a person affected with schizoid personality disorder

… extreme schizoids seem impervious to all emotion—even anger, depression, and anxiety—not just to joy and pleasure.

—Theodore Millon et al.