psyche

noun

psy·​che ˈsī-kē How to pronounce psyche (audio)
1
capitalized : a princess loved by Cupid
2
[Greek psychē]
a
: soul, personality
the nation's consumer psycheD. J. Kevles
b
: the totality of elements forming the mind (see mind entry 1 sense 2)
specifically, in Freudian psychoanalytic theory : the id, ego, and superego including both conscious and unconscious components

Did you know?

Sometime back in the 16th century, we borrowed the word psyche directly from Greek into English. In Greek mythology, Psyche was a beautiful princess who fell in love with Eros (Cupid), god of love, and went through terrible trials before being allowed to marry him. The story is often understood to be about the soul redeeming itself through love. (To the Greeks, psyche also meant "butterfly", which suggests how they imagined the soul.) In English, psyche often sounds less spiritual than soul, less intellectual than mind, and more private than personality.

Examples of psyche in a Sentence

some hidden corner within your psyche disturbing, enigmatic paintings that seem to embody the psyche of this brilliant but troubled artist
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Oakland Hills fire is such a historic catastrophe that it is burned into the department psyche. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025 The devastation of the fires has undoubtedly taken a grave toll on the psyches of those affected, experts agree. Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025 However, Heather’s greater context of how the fear of shame from the community can mess with anyone’s psyche does make sense. Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 Don’t believe that your psyche is a leadership team? Michael Alcee, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for psyche 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek psychē soul

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of psyche was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near psyche

Cite this Entry

“Psyche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psyche. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

psyche

noun
psy·​che ˈsī-kē How to pronounce psyche (audio)

Medical Definition

psyche

noun
psy·​che ˈsī-(ˌ)kē How to pronounce psyche (audio)
: the specialized cognitive, conative, and affective aspects of a psychosomatic unity : mind
specifically : the totality of the id, ego, and superego including both conscious and unconscious components

More from Merriam-Webster on psyche

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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