Empathetic vs. Empathic
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Comparison Chart
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Empathetic and Empathic Definitions
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Empathetic vs. Empathic
Empathetic and empathic are two words similar to each other. The word empathetic is a variant of its counterpart empathic. Both of these words are characterized by empathy. Empathetic and empathic mean “to have the ability to understand people’s emotions.”
In the American dictionary, the word empathetic is considered as a variant, whereas empathic is listed as a standard word. Empathetic is a less common word. Empathic is a more common word. The word empathetic has an analogy with sympathetic.
Empathetic and empathic are the two words with the same concept. None of the two words was largely used until the 20th century. But now the words empathetic and empathetic are the commonly used terms. The most used term is empathetic, but empathic is also accepted.
The use of word empathetic is traced back to 1932. The use of word empathic is traced back to 1909. Empathetic is a comparatively new term, whereas empathic is an older term.
In the parts of speech empathic and empathetic falls into the category of adjectives. They derive from the same word empathy, which is a noun. The meaning of empathetic and sympathetic is “being able to adopt the perspective and emotions of another person.”
Some people also distinguish between empathetic and empathic as empathetic is an adjective that describes the empathy felt by an ordinary person. Empathic is an adjective that describes the feeling of an empath.
Empathetic is a longer form of empathy, and empathic is its shorter form. Empathetic is found in blogs, news publications, and other mainstream sources. Empathic is preferred in scientific writing, e.g., including writing on psychology.
In brief, empathetic is less common and less preferred variant. Empathic is considered correct in all contexts.
What is Empathetic?
The word empathetic is an adjective and is characterized by noun empathy. The meaning of empathy is “having the ability to feel anyone’s feelings and life circumstances.” Empathetic is the portmanteau of the words sympathy and sympathetic and a variant of empathic.
The word empathetic was not largely used until the 20th century. The use of empathetic is traced back to 1932. It is a newer term than its counterpart. It is considered as the variant of empathic in the American dictionary.
Empathetic is the less common word than its other form empathic. It has its analogy with a similar word, sympathetic. An empathetic person is moved by its empathy in an emotional manner that gives rise to kindness, care, and understanding of words and actions of another person.
The meaning of empathetic is “being able to adopt the perspective and emotions of another person.” But now the words empathetic and empathetic are the commonly used terms.
Empathetic is a longer form than its counterpart empathic. This form is typically found in blogs, news publications, and other mainstream sources
Empathetic is an adjective that describes the empathy felt by an ordinary person. Empathetic is less common and less preferred variant.
What is Empathic?
The word empathic is also an adjective, which means “to have the ability to understand people’s emotions.”
In the American dictionary, the word empathic is listed as a standard word. Empathic is a more common word. It is the shorter form of its counterpart empathetic.
The use of word empathic is traced back to 1909. It is an older term than its counterpart. In the parts of speech, empathic falls into the category of adjectives. It derives from the word empathy, which is a noun.
Empathic is an adjective that describes the feeling of an empath. An empathic person has a sense of tuning with the thoughts and feelings of others. This sense is usually restricted to pseudoscientific writing, such as the supposed psychic powers.
Empathic is preferred in scientific writing, e.g. including writing on psychology. Empathic is considered correct in all contexts. Empathetic is also used in some nonscientific writings, e.g., modern spiritual writing, self-help writing.
Examples
- Her empathic nature sometimes puts her in a difficult situation.
- Mr.John is known as a very empathic person.
- “Empathic responding, most notably perspective-taking and empathic concern, has important implications for interpersonal functioning.” [Journal of Marital and Family Therapy]
