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

Over Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department, Swift — perhaps unconsciously — adopts Antonoff’s melodic cadence, this sprawling delivery that runs on like manic thoughts chasing a breakthrough, so tunnel-visioned that there’s no time to go back and edit them down. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024

Antipsychotics treat manic, mixed, and depressive episodes but also reduce psychotic symptoms. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024

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

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