English vocabulary · C2
Catatonic
/ˌkætəˈtɑːnɪk/ · adj.
Catatonic is when someone freezes completely, showing no movement or reaction at all. You could wave your hand in front of their face, and they would not respond.
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Example sentences
- He went catatonic after the bad news.
- She froze catatonic, phone still in her hand.
Word origin and roots
from Greek
- cata — down (from Greek)
- tonic — tension (from Greek)
Synonyms and nuances
- FROZEN — unable to move (Locked in One Spot)
- MOTIONLESS — not moving at all (Not Moving At All)
- UNRESPONSIVE — not reacting at all (No Reaction to Anything)
Words with the same root
tonic — tension
- tone — the sound or quality of a voice
- monotone — one flat, unchanging sound
- baritone — a deep, heavy singing voice
Lesson notes
Catatonic is when someone freezes completely, showing no movement or reaction at all. You could wave your hand in front of their face, and they would not respond.
Related: frozen, motionless, unresponsive. Use catatonic when someone stops reacting completely.
He went catatonic after the bad news. She froze catatonic, phone still in her hand.
From Greek. Cata- means down. Tonic- means tension. A body pulled down by frozen tension, unable to move, that is catatonic.