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 two stars trade heady, heavy verses that zoom into the psyche of a child living in a fear and neglect-ridden household that only primes them for darker horrors. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025 This is the question on the minds of Democratic voters, where the administration's war path has carved deep into Colorado's blue-state psyche and workforce. Andrew Solender, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025 Addressing media speculation about her personal life, as well as her past and present relationships, Grande lets listeners in to her inner psyche and turmoil more explicitly than ever. Brendan Le, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Most important, it’s also waged in her psyche, which Hobbs wisely foregrounds. The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Psyche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psyche. Accessed 16 Apr. 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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