Word
bipolar
Meanings
Relating to bipolar disorder, with episodes of mania or hypomania and depression.
Having two opposite poles or two opposite parts, especially in physics or electricity.
Changing sharply between two opposite states or attitudes.
Definition
Bipolar describes having two contrasting or opposite states, often referring to a mental health condition with shifts in mood.
Bipolar can describe something with two opposite sides or poles, such as a magnetic field. Most commonly, it is used in the phrase “bipolar disorder,” a mental health condition involving episodes of unusually high mood (mania or hypomania) and low mood (depression). The word is also used more generally to describe rapid or extreme changes between two opposite states.
Examples
- She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties.
- The doctor explained that bipolar symptoms can vary from person to person.
- His mood felt bipolar this week, swinging from excited to exhausted.
- The engineer tested a bipolar transistor in the circuit.
- They learned how a bipolar magnet has two poles.
Common mistake
Learners often use bipolar casually to mean “moody,” but it should not be used to label people without a clinical context.
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More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
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- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.