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

The Lodge takes its time building a tense atmosphere of suspense and delirium set in a remote winter cabin just days before Christmas. —Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Severe infections may lead to prolonged hospitalizations, sepsis, and delirium, which may increase the risk of cognitive decline, Dao said. —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

Advertisement Freddie Freeman made a winner out of Treinen and all the Dodgers on Friday, blasting the first walk-off grand slam in the 121-year history of the World Series, sending a city into delirium and prompting instant mashups of the Gibson and Freeman home runs. —Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024

No sweating, fast heartbeat, fainting or feeling faint, breathing quickly, confusion or delirium, loss of consciousness and a high temperature. —Rachel Royster, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Aug. 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