schizophrenic

[skit-suh-fren-ik]

adjective

1. Psychiatry.,  of or relating to schizophrenia.

   Not all of these patients are schizophrenic.

2. of or relating to conflicting or inconsistent elements; characterized by unusual disparity.

   It wavers from comedy to thriller to docudrama—a totally schizophrenic plot!

noun

Psychiatry.

1. a person with schizophrenia.

   Schizophrenics are often unable to focus on certain objects.

Word History and Origins

Origin of schizophrenic¹

First recorded in 1910–15; schizophren(ia) ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

As do so many schizophrenics, Ayers-Moore says, her brother would improve with medication but then refuse to take it and slip back into his tortured world.

From Los Angeles Times

The musician was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in 1984, according to Forbes, when doctors found evidence that his brain damage was linked to his use of psychedelic drugs.

From BBC

I did a film called “The Saint of Fort Washington,” where I played a homeless schizophrenic.

From Salon

A major review into the NHS care and treatment of a paranoid schizophrenic who killed three people in Nottingham has identified numerous failings that show "the system got it wrong".

From BBC

Current US policy towards Cuba is “somewhat schizophrenic”, he argues.

From BBC