psychedelic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal to neutral; technical in pharmacology/psychology.
Quick answer
What does “psychedelic” mean?
Relating to or denoting drugs (especially LSD) that produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to or denoting drugs (especially LSD) that produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness.
Having intense, vivid colours, patterns, sounds, or experiences reminiscent of the effects of psychedelic drugs; also used to describe art, music, or culture inspired by such experiences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Spelling is identical. The associated cultural references (e.g., 1960s music scenes) may differ slightly in local prominence.
Connotations
In both varieties, primary connotations are 1960s counterculture, hallucinogenic drugs, and vibrant art. Can have negative connotations in formal/medical contexts regarding drug use.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with perhaps slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the 1960s San Francisco scene in popular culture.
Grammar
How to Use “psychedelic” in a Sentence
[adjective] + noun (e.g., psychedelic experience)verb + [adjective] (e.g., look psychedelic)highly/visually + [adjective]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “psychedelic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb) The film seemed to psychedelicise the mundane cityscape.
- (Rare) They wanted to psychedelic their sound for the new album.
American English
- (Rare as verb) The artist's goal was to psychedelicize the mural.
- (Rare) The software can psychedelic any photo you upload.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) The room was decorated psychedelically, with swirling walls and neon lights.
American English
- (Rare) The video was edited psychedelically, with rapid cuts and colour inversions.
adjective
British English
- The band's early work was heavily influenced by psychedelic sounds.
- He described the light show as a truly psychedelic spectacle.
American English
- She wore a dress with a wild, psychedelic print.
- The documentary explored the psychedelic drug culture of the 1960s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like fashion or music (e.g., 'The brand is launching a psychedelic-inspired summer collection').
Academic
Used in psychology, pharmacology, and cultural studies with precise reference to drugs or the 1960s counterculture.
Everyday
Common to describe wildly colourful visuals, patterns, or intense experiences (e.g., 'The club lights were totally psychedelic').
Technical
In medicine/pharmacology, refers specifically to a class of hallucinogenic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “psychedelic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “psychedelic”
- Misspelling as 'physchedelic' or 'sikedelic'.
- Using it as a synonym for simply 'colourful' without the connotation of distortion or intensity.
- Pronouncing the initial 'p' (it is silent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core meaning relates to hallucinogenic drugs, it is very commonly used to describe art, music, colours, and experiences that are intensely vivid, complex, or distort perception, reminiscent of a drug-induced state.
The 'p' is silent. It is pronounced sigh-kuh-DEL-ik. The stress is on the third syllable.
Yes, though less common than the adjective. As a noun, it usually means a psychedelic drug (e.g., 'He experimented with psychedelics in his youth') or the psychedelic style/genre.
They are often synonyms. However, 'psychedelic' (mind-manifesting) often emphasises the expansion of consciousness and sensory experience, while 'hallucinogenic' is a broader, more clinical term for any substance causing hallucinations. All psychedelics are hallucinogens, but not all hallucinogens (e.g., some dissociatives) are classically called psychedelics.
Relating to or denoting drugs (especially LSD) that produce hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness.
Psychedelic is usually informal to neutral; technical in pharmacology/psychology. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A psychedelic trip (a hallucinogenic experience or, metaphorically, a wild experience)”
- “Blow your mind (psychedelic-adjacent idiom for a shocking or amazing experience)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PSYCHE' (mind) + 'DELIC' (from 'delos' visible/reveal) = something that reveals or alters the mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A LANDSCAPE (psychedelics 'expand' or 'alter' this landscape); VIVID COLOUR IS A DRUG EXPERIENCE.
Practice
Quiz
In a technical/medical context, 'psychedelic' primarily refers to: