delirium

noun

de·​lir·​i·​um di-ˈlir-ē-əm 

1

: an acute (see acute sense 1a(2)) mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations

2

: frenzied excitement

he would stride about his room in a delirium of joy

—Thomas Wolfe

a crowd in a state of delirium

Synonyms

• agitation
• deliriousness
• distraction
• fever
• feverishness
• flap
• frenzy
• furor
• furore
• fury
• hysteria
• rage
• rampage
• uproar

Examples of delirium in a Sentence

In her delirium, nothing she said made any sense.

shoppers running around in a delirium the day before Christmas

Recent Examples on the Web

Excited delirium has been used as a defense by Axon in several similar lawsuits. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

The participants of this project have historically fought its delirium, never entirely on the same page about how messy to be, insisting on professionalism while doing shots in a bra top, trapping themselves in a bad trip. —Anne Victoria Clark, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024

Come the end of the eighth round, Ali spotted his opportunity, springing back with a vicious left-right combination, knocking Foreman down, and prompting delirium within the Stade du 20 Mai. —Jamie Barton, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

In the national delirium of a presidential election, the maladies of politics impose themselves on our minds to an even greater degree. —Jack Butler, National Review, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from delirare to be crazy, literally, to leave the furrow (in plowing), from de- + lira furrow — more at learn

First Known Use

circa 1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing delirium

• delirium tremens

Kids Definition

delirium

noun

de·​lir·​i·​um di-ˈlir-ē-əm 

1

: a mental disturbance marked by confusion, disturbed speech, and hallucinations

2

: wild excitement

Medical Definition

delirium

noun

de·​lir·​i·​um di-ˈlir-ē-əm 

: an acute (see acute sense 2b(1)) mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations