manic

adjective

man·​ic ˈma-nik 

: affected with, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from mania

had a manic personality

his manic work pace

manic noun

manically

ˈma-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of manic in a Sentence

a manic sense of humor

Recent Examples on the Web

Sherlock fanatics may recall that Cumberbatch’s interpretation of Baker Street’s greatest sleuth was blessed with hints of wicked humor sublimated under those manic, elementary deductions. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025

This year’s winners reveal that homeowners are craving calm over chaos—moving toward nature-inspired, calming hues that signal a respite from a manic world. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The immediate effect of the birth is to summon the narrator back from the portal and into the physical world, where the manic controversies that absorbed her suddenly feel very small. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

Yes, the ensemble could’ve used more of the manic intensity and blistering attack that came so easily in its early days. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek manikós "mad, crazy," from manía "madness, frenzy, mania" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing manic

• manic depression
• manic-depressive
• manic-depressive illness

Rhymes for manic

• bannock
• laennec
• panic
• stannic
• tannic
• aldermanic
• inorganic
• magellanic
• messianic
• oceanic
• pozzolanic
• talismanic

Medical Definition

manic

1 of 2 adjective

man·​ic ˈman-ik 

: affected with, relating to, or resembling mania

manically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

manic

2 of 2 noun

: an individual affected with mania