Psychology — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /sī-ˈkä-lə-jē/ psy·chol·o·gy

Meaning & Definition of Psychology

Psychology (noun)

  1. the science of mind and behavior
  2. the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual or group
  3. the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity

Word Forms of Psychology

Inflections: psychologies

Origin & Etymology of Psychology

New Latin psychologia, from psych- + -logia -logy

First known use: 1749

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Psychology

Words & Phrases Containing Psychology

Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology

What does "Psychology" mean?

"Psychology" means the science of mind and behavior. As a noun, it is defined as: the science of mind and behavior. It has 3 distinct senses.

Is "Psychology" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Psychology" is a noun.

Is "Psychology" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Psychology" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Psychology"?

"Psychology" is pronounced /sī-ˈkä-lə-jē/ and divided into syllables as psy·chol·o·gy.

What is the origin of the word "Psychology"?

"Psychology" comes from New Latin psychologia, from psych- + -logia -logy. First known use: 1749.

What CEFR level is "Psychology"?

"Psychology" is a B2-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).

Is "Psychology" an academic word?

Yes. "Psychology" is part of the 570-word Academic Word List (AWL), which contains vocabulary that appears frequently in university texts and in exams such as IELTS and TOEFL.

What topics is "Psychology" used in?

"Psychology" is commonly used in topics such as Body & Health.