hysteria
gb/hɪstˈɛɹiə/ us/hɪstˈɛɹiə/
C1
English
hisztéria, tömeghisztéria
NOUN
C1
1
hisztéria
B2
Usage pattern:
hysteria (about/over) [something]
The false report triggered hysteria across the city within hours.
A hamis hír néhány órán belül hisztériát váltott ki az egész városban.
There was media hysteria over the celebrity’s sudden disappearance.
A híresség hirtelen eltűnése körül médiahisztéria alakult ki.
Officials urged people to stay calm and avoid hysteria.
Learner examples
The rumor caused hysteria.
A pletyka hisztériát okozott.
People tried to stop the hysteria.
Az emberek megpróbálták megfékezni a hisztériát.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse hysteria with being "hilarious"; hysteria is about panic or uncontrolled emotion, not humor.
Meaning
widespread panic and irrational fear
Collocations
public hysteria
|mass hysteria
|media hysteria
|widespread hysteria
|moral hysteria
|spark hysteria
|cause hysteria
|fuel hysteria
|hysteria over [something]
|panic and hysteria
Synonyms
panic (More general; hysteria suggests less rational control and faster spread.)
|
alarm (Usually milder and more reasonable than hysteria.)
Antonyms
calm (A peaceful state without panic.)
|
composure (Self-control and steadiness under stress.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|news_media
Definition
a situation where many people panic
A state of extreme, often irrational fear or excitement that spreads quickly among many people.
NOUN
C1
2
hisztéria
B2
Usage pattern:
in/into hysteria
She was shaking with hysteria and couldn’t speak clearly.
A hisztériától remegett, és nem tudott érthetően beszélni.
The audience dissolved into hysteria when the singer came back on stage.
A közönség hisztériába tört ki, amikor az énekes visszatért a színpadra.
He tried to calm his child, who was close to hysteria.
Learner examples
He was in hysteria.
Hisztérikus állapotban volt.
She cried in hysteria.
Hisztérikusan sírt.
Common mistake:
In everyday English, people often say "hysterics" or "a fit of laughter" for laughing; "hysteria" sounds stronger and more serious.
Meaning
uncontrolled emotional outburst
Collocations
burst into hysteria
|fly into hysteria
|reduce [someone] to hysteria
|near hysteria
|a wave of hysteria
|screams of hysteria
|laugh with hysteria
|cry with hysteria
|hysteria and tears
|hysteria in the room
Synonyms
frenzy (Emphasizes wild, chaotic behavior.)
|
meltdown (Informal; often implies losing control under stress.)
Antonyms
self-control (The ability to manage emotions and behavior.)
|
steadiness (Remaining calm and stable emotionally.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|relationships
Definition
a time when someone cannot control their feelings
A state in which someone cannot control their emotions, for example crying, laughing, or shouting wildly.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
hisztéria
C1
Usage pattern:
diagnosed with hysteria
In the 1800s, many women were diagnosed with “hysteria” for symptoms that doctors did not understand.
Az 1800-as években sok nőnél „hisztériát” diagnosztizáltak olyan tünetek miatt, amelyeket az orvosok nem értettek.
The book explains how hysteria was used to dismiss women’s pain and anxiety.
A könyv elmagyarázza, hogyan használták a „hisztéria” diagnózisát arra, hogy lesöpörjék a nők fájdalmát és szorongását.
Today the term is mainly used when discussing the history of psychiatry.
Learner examples
In the past, doctors used the word “hysteria.”
Régen az orvosok a „hisztéria” szót használták.
Common mistake:
In modern medical contexts, this meaning is usually discussed historically; avoid using it as a current diagnosis.
Meaning
outdated medical diagnosis, especially for women
Collocations
diagnosed with hysteria
|a diagnosis of hysteria
|female hysteria
|Victorian hysteria
|so-called hysteria
|treated for hysteria
|the concept of hysteria
|hysteria in Freud’s writings
|medical views of hysteria
|history of hysteria
Synonyms
conversion disorder (A modern clinical term sometimes discussed in relation to historical 'hysteria' (not a direct equivalent).)
|
psychosomatic illness (Broader and modern; does not carry the same historical baggage.)
Antonyms
evidence-based diagnosis (A diagnosis grounded in modern medical standards.)
Themes
medicine
|history
|gender
Definition
an old, incorrect medical label for illness
A former medical diagnosis once used for a wide range of symptoms, especially in women, now considered inaccurate and biased and largely replaced by other terms.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hysteria
IPA
GB/hɪstˈɛɹiə/
US/hɪstˈɛɹiə/
Syllables & stress
hys - teria (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (teria)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hysteria
- Plural: hysteria, hysterias
Word family
Expressions
in a state of hysteria
1/ˈɪn ə stˈeɪt əv hɪstˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
being extremely out of control
feeling panic and not calm
Examples
- He arrived in a state of hysteria, convinced the building was on fire.
- She was in a state of hysteria after losing her passport.
- The call center was flooded by customers in a state of hysteria.
Learner examples
- She was in a state of hysteria.
mass hysteria
1/mˈæs hɪstˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
panic spreading through a group
panic that spreads to many people
Examples
- Police said there was no threat and urged people not to give in to mass hysteria.
- A single misleading post can trigger mass hysteria online.
- The strange noise led to mass hysteria in the crowded station.
Learner examples
- The rumor caused mass hysteria.
media hysteria
1/mˈidiə hɪstˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
overexcited news coverage reaction
news reaction that is too extreme
Examples
- She ignored the media hysteria and waited for the official report.
- The company blamed the price drop on media hysteria.
- A small incident quickly became media hysteria.
Learner examples
- The media hysteria was stressful.
public hysteria
1/pˈʌblɪk hɪstˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
strong panic among the public
panic felt by many people
Examples
- The announcement was followed by public hysteria and empty supermarket shelves.
- Leaders tried to reassure citizens and prevent public hysteria.
- Some critics said the coverage was designed to stir up public hysteria.
Learner examples
- There was public hysteria after the news.