Definition of psych
psyched
;psyching
transitive verb
1 : psychoanalyze
2a : to anticipate correctly the intentions or actions of : outguessb : to analyze or figure out (something, such as a problem or course of action) I psyched it all out by myself and decided — David Hulburd
3a : to make psychologically uneasy : intimidate, scare pressure doesn't psych me — Jerry Quarry —often used with out has a way of psyching out the competitionb : to make (someone, such as oneself) psychologically ready especially for performance —often used with up psyched herself up for the race
Explore M-W
Examples of psych in a Sentence
He was trying to psych himself before the race.
Origin and Etymology of psych
by shortening
First Known Use: 1917
psych-
psycho-
Definition of psych-
1 : mind : mental processes and activities psychodynamic psychology
2 : psychological methods psychoanalysis psychotherapy
3 : brain psychosurgery
4 : mental and psychosomatic
Origin and Etymology of psych-
Greek, from psychē breath, principle of life, life, soul, from psychein to breathe; akin to Sanskrit babhasti he blows
PSYCH Defined for English Language Learners
psych
playDefinition of psych for English Language Learners
-
: to make (yourself or another person) mentally ready to perform or compete
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about psych
-
See words that rhyme with psych Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for psych
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up psych? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!