parapraxis

Meaning

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A small mistake in speech, memory or action that is thought to reveal a hidden wish or thought, as described in psychoanalysis.

   Grammar: The plural is parapraxes; the phrase Freudian slip is the everyday equivalent.

   Patterns

   • a parapraxis of something

   Calling his boss by his ex-wife's name was a classic parapraxis.

   Freud collected examples of parapraxis, from forgotten names to misplaced keys.

   The psychologist asked whether the slip was a mere accident or a parapraxis.

Word forms

Common combinations

a Freudian parapraxis

His toast to the bride and her 'late husband' was a Freudian parapraxis.

explain as a parapraxis

Analysts might explain the mix-up as a parapraxis.

verbal parapraxis

A verbal parapraxis can embarrass a speaker.

commit a parapraxis

She seemed to commit a parapraxis every time his name came up.

Synonyms and how they differ

Freudian slip

Freudian slip is the popular name and appears in casual talk, while parapraxis is the technical term.

slip of the tongue

Slip of the tongue covers any spoken error, but a parapraxis implies a hidden meaning behind it.

gaffe

Gaffe means an embarrassing social blunder and does not suggest unconscious motives.

Word family

parapraxes noun

the plural form

praxis noun

practice or action, the root of the word

parapractic adjective

rare, relating to a slip of this kind

Commonly confused: parapraxis or paralysis? parapraxis or paraphrase?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “parapraxis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words