saturnalia

noun

sat·​ur·​na·​lia ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yə 

-ˈnā-lē-ə

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

capitalized : the festival of Saturn in ancient Rome beginning on December 17

2

singular, plural saturnalias also saturnalia

a

: an unrestrained often licentious celebration : orgy

b

: excess, extravagance

saturnalian

ˌsa-tər-ˈnāl-yən 

-ˈnā-lē-ən

adjective

saturnalianly adverb

Examples of saturnalia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This summer’s Matterhorn spike is enhanced by COVID cabin fever and protest saturnalia. —Nr Editors, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020

Palm Springs is a playground of shape and color, a mid-century marvel of manicured lawns, modernist homes (glass, stone, terrazzo, and Formica), and poolside saturnalia set within an arid ecosystem that can seem like the surface of Mars. —Jennifer Emerling, National Geographic, 6 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter plural of saturnalis of Saturn, from Saturnus

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

saturnalia

singular or plural noun

sat·​ur·​na·​lia ˌsat-ər-ˈnāl-yə 

1

capitalized : the festival of the god Saturn celebrated in ancient Rome with feasting and wild revelry

2

: a celebration involving wild behavior : orgy

saturnalian

-yən 

adjective