maniacal

[ muh-nahy-uh-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to mania or a maniac.

maniacal

/ məˈnaɪəkəl; ˈmeɪnɪæk /

adjective

1. affected with or characteristic of mania
2. characteristic of or befitting a maniac

   maniacal laughter

Derived Forms

• maˈniacally, adverb

Other Words From

• ma·ni·a·cal·ly adverb
• post·ma·ni·a·cal adjective
• pre·ma·ni·a·cal adjective
• sub·ma·ni·a·cal adjective
• un·ma·ni·a·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maniacal¹

First recorded in 1670–80; maniac + -al ¹

Example Sentences

“We’re going to be maniacal about getting after it.”

From Salon

These pals, along with their funny friends, set out to have some fun in the Catskills and ended up putting together a must-see movie that transports you on a road trip full of maniacal laughs, heartwarming laughs and even a few crying laughs.

From Los Angeles Times

I think Trump is a maniacal megalomaniac and would try to usurp the democratic process, not unlike Hitler or Mussolini.

From Slate

Made-to-measure, bespoke’s second cousin, doesn’t have the same flash of creative madness that comes from being able to put a leopard-print lining in a suit jacket, but it also spares you the maniacal laundry list of choices that bespoke offers.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m excited to witness his maniacal vocal stylings on haunting covers of well-known songs, which I’ll probably never be able to hear in quite the same way again.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delirious