pathological

adjective

path·​o·​log·​i·​cal ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

variants or less commonly pathologic

ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-jik 

1

: of or relating to pathology

pathological research

A pathological examination led to the diagnosis.

2

: altered or caused by disease

pathological changes in the body

also : indicative of disease

pathological symptoms

3

: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or markedly abnormal

a pathological liar

pathological fear

pathologically

ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of pathological in a Sentence

He is a pathological liar.

She has a pathological fear of heights.

pathological changes in the body

Recent Examples on the Web

Moore, even in her 90s, is quite the babbling brook — twinkly and self-possessed, a calm pathological narcissist, the kind of person who spins out her life like a novel, making stories she’s told a million times sound spontaneous. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024

This view of Alzheimer’s disease as a 'circuit disorder' challenges the thinking that pathological proteins are solely responsible. —New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024

Primary care doctors and dementia specialists used the test to screen for pathological signs of Alzheimer's with 91% accuracy, per the study, published Sunday in JAMA. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 29 July 2024

The time was right for a truly nasty foray into Gotham, and into the head-space of pathological party clown and aspiring comedian Arthur Fleck, whose perpetual victimization could only lead to carnage. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pathologicus "of the study of the passions, of the study of diseases" (borrowed from Greek pathologikós, from patho- patho- + -logikos, from -logia -logy + -ikos -ic entry 1) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pathological

adjective

patho·​log·​i·​cal

ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl

variants also pathologic

-ik

1

: of or relating to pathology

2

: changed or caused by disease

3

: being such to a degree that is extreme, excessive, or abnormal

a pathological liar

pathologically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Medical Definition

pathological

adjective

patho·​log·​i·​cal ˌpath-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

variants also pathologic

-ik 

1

: of or relating to pathology

a pathological laboratory

2

: altered or caused by disease

pathological tissue

also : indicative of disease

pathological lesions

pathologically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb