maniac

[ mey-nee-ak ]

noun

1. a raving or violently insane person; lunatic.
2. any intemperate or overly zealous or enthusiastic person:

   a maniac when it comes to details.

adjective

1. maniacal.

maniac

/ ˈmeɪnɪˌæk /

noun

1. a wild disorderly person
2. a person who has a great craving or enthusiasm for something

   a football maniac

3. obsolete.
   psychiatry a person afflicted with mania

Word History and Origins

Origin of maniac¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, maniac is from the Medieval Latin word maniacus of, pertaining to madness. See mania, -ac

Word History and Origins

Origin of maniac¹

C17: from Late Latin maniacus belonging to madness, from Greek

Example Sentences

Following all that, Lois’ gastronomical overkill, a gift from a mother who loves to drink and cook for a daughter who can’t control her food intake, is appropriately filmed to look like a maniac readying his disturbing masterpiece.

From Salon

Roberts was an erratic maniac, no doubt, but much of what he learned about the dark arts of self-immolation came from his father, Walter, a screenwriter during the glory days of radio drama who then started his own theater in Atlanta, where Roberts was raised.

From Los Angeles Times

"I was expecting Rob Lowe to be some maniac. I don't know why."

From Salon

I was expecting Rob Lowe to be some maniac.

From Salon

Mr Cavendish called it the "most unpleasant comedy gig I’ve ever attended" and said that audience members had "erupted" with abuse towards the Israeli couple, calling them "genocidal maniac" and telling them they were not welcome at the gig.

From BBC

Related Words

• crazy
• insane
• mad