maniac

Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪ.niˌæk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an insane person
  2. noun a person who has an obsession with or excessive enthusiasm for something
  3. adjective wildly disordered

Etymology

From mania + -ac. Borrowed from French maniaque, from Late Latin maniacus, from Ancient Greek μανιακός (maniakós), adjectival form of μανία (manía, “madness”). Compare manic.

In classic literature

Synonyms

lunatic, madman

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
sick person
Narrower (hyponyms)
pyromaniac, bedlamite, crazy, madwoman

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