Maniac
/ˈmeɪniæk/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person exhibiting extreme enthusiasm or obsession, often to a dangerous degree; a person suffering from mania; someone considered wildly enthusiastic about a particular activity or subject.
/ˈmeɪniæk/
A person exhibiting extreme enthusiasm or obsession, often to a dangerous degree.
The roller coaster enthusiast was a true maniac, riding it dozens of times in a row.
💡 Simply: A maniac is someone who is REALLY into something, maybe even a little too much. Like, a maniac for video games means they play them ALL the time and can't think about anything else. Think of it as a super fan who goes overboard!
👶 For kids: A maniac is a person who is super excited about something, maybe too much!
More Examples
She's a health food maniac, always researching the latest superfoods and supplements.
The crowd turned into a maniac mob after the goal was scored.
How It's Used
"He's a football maniac; he knows every statistic and team roster."
"The doctor diagnosed the patient as a maniac, experiencing intense excitement and delusional behavior."
Relating to or characteristic of a maniac; wildly enthusiastic or obsessed.
/ˈmeɪniæk/
Characteristic of a maniac; wildly enthusiastic or obsessed.
The comedian's maniac delivery had the audience in stitches.
💡 Simply: When something is maniac, it's like a turbo-charged version of something else. If a party is maniac, it is out of control!
👶 For kids: Maniac can describe someone being super, super excited about something.
More Examples
He has a maniac energy for his projects.
Her maniac laughter was unsettling.
How It's Used
"His maniac energy kept the team motivated throughout the game."
"The character displayed maniac laughter, hinting at his descent into madness."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From French maniaque, from Greek maniakos ('mad, frenzied'), from mania ('madness').
The word 'maniac' gained increased usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of psychology and the study of mental disorders.
Memory tip
Imagine a person overflowing with energy and a wild, uncontrollable passion. They are a maniac!
Word Origin
"madness, frenzy, rage"