Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

oedipus complex

/ˈidəpəs ˈkɒmplɛks/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.87 in modern English

Syllables: oedi-pus -com-plex
IPA: /ˈidəpəs ˈkɒmplɛks/

30

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

4

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

In Freudian theory, the complex of emotions aroused in a child by an unconscious sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex.

Example Sentences

"He never palliated his villainy, never helped old ladies across the street to show that he was a sweet kid au fond or prated about his Oedipus complex like the Percy boys who portray heavies today."

Etymology

Named after Oedipus in Greek mythology, who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother.

Inflected Forms

Oedipus complexes (plural)

Derived Forms

Oedipal

Phrases

Electra complex

Frequently Paired Words

Electra complex

Synonyms

oedipal complex

Questions

How do you pronounce oedipus complex?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈidəpəs ˈkɒmplɛks/.
What does oedipus complex mean?: In Freudian theory, the complex of emotions aroused in a child by an unconscious sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex.
Where does oedipus complex come from?: Named after Oedipus in Greek mythology, who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother.

How to pronounce oedipus complex

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