visceral

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈvɪsərəl/ 🇺🇸 /ˈvɪsɜrəl/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Relating to the internal organs of the body, especially those in the abdominal cavity.; Having deep sensibility; characterized by intense emotional or instinctive reactions rather than rational thought.; Relating to or affecting the viscera; pertaining to the internal organs of the body.; Characterized by or appealing to crude or primitive emotions; instinctive and unreasoned.; Having to do with the body or physical sensations rather than the intellect.; Not subjected to intellectual analysis or rationalization; felt deeply and directly.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more visceral Superlative: most visceral

Collocations

visceral reactionvisceral responsevisceral feelingvisceral experiencevisceral fearvisceral hatred

Derivatives

viscerallyvisceraviscus

Synonyms

instinctivegutprimaldeep-seatedemotionalintuitive

Antonyms

cerebralintellectualrationalanalytical

Commonly confused

viscous
EN: 'Viscous' describes a thick, sticky consistency of liquids; 'visceral' relates to deep instinctive feelings or internal organs.
cerebral
EN: 'Cerebral' relates to intellectual, analytical thought; 'visceral' relates to instinctive, emotional responses — they are near-antonyms.

Spelling tips

EN: Note the 'sc' combination (not 'ss') and the ending '-eral'. Do not confuse with 'viscous' (thick/sticky).

💬 Examples

  1. The surgeon carefully examined the visceral organs during the operation.

  2. She felt a visceral reaction of disgust when she saw the scene.

  3. The patient complained of visceral pain in the lower abdomen.

  4. The film provoked a visceral response from the audience, leaving many in tears.

  5. The dancer's performance was visceral, communicating emotion through the body rather than words.

  6. His fear of heights was purely visceral and could not be overcome by logic.