delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium

delirious mutterings

2

: affected with or marked by delirium

delirious with fever

delirious fans

deliriously adverb

deliriousness noun

Synonyms

• agitated
• distracted
• distrait
• distraught
• frantic
• frenzied
• hysterical
• hysteric

Examples of delirious in a Sentence

As the child's temperature went up, he became delirious and didn't know where he was.

He was delirious with fever.

a group of delirious fans celebrating the team's victory

Recent Examples on the Web

Men huddled together in makeshift rafts, trying to stay calm and conserve energy, while others, weak from injuries or delirious from dehydration, drifted away and became easy targets. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025

The parade through downtown Los Angeles that drew hundreds of thousands of delirious fans. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024

The space is plunged into darkness, and my works in mirror and colored glass reflect Oscar Niemeyer’s delirious architecture. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

But parts of this delirious November created the impression that someone else has taken hold of our collective destiny. —Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see delirium

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: affected with, marked by, or characteristic of delirium

2

: wildly excited

delirious fans

deliriously adverb

deliriousness noun

Medical Definition

delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium

2

: affected with or marked by delirium

deliriously adverb