DictionaryAI

catharsis

noun
kuh-THAR-sis/kəˈθɑɹˌsɪs/UKkuh-THAH-sis/kəˈθɑːsɪs/

Pluralcatharses

3 meanings of catharsis

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    The release of strong or pent-up emotions, from a tragedy, art, or any experience, that leaves a person feeling relieved and cleansed.

    Writing the angry letter and then burning it provided more catharsis than any conversation could have.

    For many marchers, chanting in the street was pure catharsis after months of quiet anger.

    UsageOften pure catharsis or a sense of catharsis; the adjective is cathartic.

Less common meanings

  1. 2
    noun
    A therapeutic technique that relieves tension by reconnecting an emotion with the memory or idea of the event that first caused it, then eliminating it through full expression of the emotion, a step called abreaction.
  2. 3
    noun
    Purging of the bowels, usually brought on by a laxative or other medicine.

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Origin

Aristotle coined the dramatic, emotional sense. The word itself is Ancient Greek κάθαρσις (kátharsis, "cleansing, purging"), formed from καθαίρω (kathaírō, "I cleanse").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

  • Aristotle coined the dramatic, emotional sense of catharsis. en.wiktionary.org
  • Catharsis comes from Ancient Greek κάθαρσις (kátharsis), meaning cleansing or purging. en.wiktionary.org
  • Κάθαρσις is formed from καθαίρω (kathaírō), meaning I cleanse. en.wiktionary.org