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Freudian

Freudian

1 7.6
A person who uses Sigmund Freud's ideas in psychology or therapy
  • noun
  • /ˈfrɔɪdiən/
translation icon : freudiano
  • Many Freudians believe that childhood experiences shape our adult behaviors and relationships.

Examples

  • And maybe this is true, but a Freudian might say that even if this is your honest answer, you're not lying to anybody else.

  • A Freudian psychologist analyzed her dreams to uncover hidden meanings and repressed emotions.

  • And a, a Freudian would say, well, look, this isn't all conscious stuff.

  • Freudians might say penis envy made us refuse to give up the one we'd created.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Freudians are adept at decoding dreams like mine as expressions of sexual fears and desires that the conscious mind has repressed.

    Academic text (2007)

  • As a Freudian, he often emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind in understanding human behavior.

Synonyms

analyst
vsFreudian
56 5.6

A trained therapist who helps people understand their feelings and past through talk

is someone who supports Freud's theories rather than focusing on clinical practice
psychoanalyst
vsFreudian
  • Specialized
12 7.0

A doctor or therapist who treats mental and emotional problems by talking about thoughts and dreams

is an adherent who supports or applies Freud's theories without requiring formal training

Compounds

Freudian slip
6 8.0

An accidental mistake in speech that shows hidden thoughts or feelings

Freudian psychology
  • Specialized
6.3

Ideas about the hidden part of the mind and early childhood that shape behaviour

Surface Forms

Freudian singular
Freudians plural

Morphology

Freudian = Freud (transparent) = Freud + ian

The noun is derived via the same productive '-ian' formation (often used adjectivally or as a noun meaning 'a follower/relating to'), so the relation to 'Freud' is clear.

Etymology

Freudian comes from the name Freud and the ending -ian, which means 'belonging to' or 'a follower of', like in Newtonian. So a Freudian is a person who follows Sigmund Freud's ideas about the unconscious mind.