Spanish word

histérico

Pronunciation

IPA/isˈteɾiko/

Meaning

  • adjectivehysterical

Example

Ella está histérica desde que empezó la discusión.

She has been hysterical since the argument began.

Illustration for histérico (hysterical)

More examples

Al recibir la noticia, él se puso histérico.

When he received the news, he became hysterical.

Core concept

A person frozen and trembling from acute fear or nerves.

Common phrases

  • ponerse histérico

    become hysterical

  • estar histérico

    be hysterical

Similar words

nervioso: Tense and uneasy, feeling worried or jittery and finding it hard to relax.
alterado: Emotionally unsettled and agitated, showing disturbed mood or irritability.
exaltado: Intensely excited or agitated, acting with strong, high-intensity emotion.
dramático: Making a big, theatrical display over situations, emphasizing drama in reactions.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para describir a alguien que está momentáneamente fuera de sí por nervios, miedo o pánico.

Word origin

Borrowed from Latin hystericus and ultimately from Greek hystera 'uterus', and in modern Spanish it denotes short-lived extreme nervousness or panic rather than a clinical diagnosis.

Usage tips

  • The spoken stress falls on the second syllable (his-TÉ-ri-co), and common verbs are estar or ponerse rather than ser when describing a temporary reaction.

Other meanings

  • panickedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • histeriahysterianoun
  • histerismohysterismnoun
  • histerizarhysterizeverb

Word lists with this word