Meaning & use
bipolar
Relating to a mental health condition marked by alternating periods of depression and mania.
See it in a sentence
Her psychiatrist explained that bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts between low and elevated moods.
He manages his bipolar symptoms with medication and regular sessions with a therapist.
A note on using this word
Avoid using bipolar casually to describe ordinary mood changes; it refers to a diagnosed clinical condition.
Words with a similar meaning
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Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. adjective
Having two distinct poles or opposite extremes, as in a magnet or a debate.
The issue became bipolar, with commentators falling firmly into one of two opposing camps.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bipolar”, then compare your use with the examples above.