Othello syndrome

noun

delusional jealousy; a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a strong delusional belief that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful

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Meanings

nounOthello syndrome (uncountable)
  1. uncountabledelusional jealousy; a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a strong delusional belief that their spouse or sexual partner is being unfaithful

Origin

After Shakespeare's character Othello, who kills his lover after becoming falsely convinced that she is unfaithful.

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Cite this entry
APA

Othello syndrome. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Othello%20syndrome

MLA

“Othello syndrome.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Othello%20syndrome. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Othello syndrome,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Othello%20syndrome.

Source: Othello syndrome on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.