ACTING OUT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does acting out mean? 

• ACTING OUT (noun)
  The noun ACTING OUT has 2 senses:

1. a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult

2. (psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic

  Familiarity information: ACTING OUT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACTING OUT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("acting out" is a kind of...):

blowup; ebullition; effusion; gush; outburst (an unrestrained expression of emotion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("acting out" is a kind of...):

display (exhibiting openly in public view)

Domain category:

psychiatry; psychological medicine; psychopathology (the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders)