hysteric

1 of 2

noun

hys·​ter·​ic hi-ˈster-ik 

plural hysterics

1

: a person subject to or affected by hysteria

2

: an overemotional or unstable person

He's a sweet-natured hysteric who overresponds to every stimulus.

—Pauline Kael

see also hysterics entry 1

hysteric

2 of 2

less common spelling of hysterical sense 1

Examples of hysteric in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Watching two veteran actors spar over such low-stakes material (the musical is called Nosy Neighbors) brought my packed Toronto screening room to hysterics. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

The next was his minor hysterics over Caleb’s interest in Kayda. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 22 June 2026

Even in those quiet hysterics which statued me unprovoked, my imagination had not conjured this rapid an unspooling. — Literary Hub, 27 Mar. 2026

But there are kinks that need to be worked out, including some plot hysterics (a burning of a house is too over the top) that throw it off its comedy tracks. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hysteric

• anti-hysteric

Rhymes for hysteric

• chimeric
• dimeric
• generic
• homeric
• numeric
• allosteric
• amphoteric
• anomeric
• atmospheric
• chromospheric
• climacteric
• congeneric

Medical Definition

hysteric

noun

hys·​ter·​ic his-ˈter-ik 

: an individual subject to or affected by hysteria