Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
word salad
A form of disorganized speech characterized by incoherent, meaningless combinations of words and phrases.
Full Definition
Word salad is a type of formal thought disorder manifesting as severely disorganized speech in which words and phrases are combined in ways that lack logical connection or meaningful content. This symptom is commonly observed in acute psychotic episodes, particularly in schizophrenia, and represents a breakdown in the normal organization of language and thought. The speech may sound fluent but conveys no coherent message, making it impossible for listeners to extract meaning from the communication.
Usage
Usage note: Should not be hyphenated when used as a noun; avoid confusion with other thought disorders.
In Context
- "The patient's mental status examination revealed word salad with no discernible meaning." — Clinical assessment report
- "Antipsychotic medication led to marked improvement in the patient's word salad within 72 hours." — Treatment progress note
Also known as
schizophasia
incoherent speech
Contrasted with
organized speech
coherent speech
Don't confuse with
circumstantiality
tangentiality
loose associations