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

Hurley has succeeded at Connecticut with a manic level of intensity – toward his players, toward the referees, presumably toward people surrounding the program – that works with college kids for a 35-game season, largely because everyone in the program understands who the ruler is. —Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 6 June 2024

There are four basic types of the disorder, which are characterized by periods of elation and hyper-activity known as manic episodes, which are then followed by depressive stages where the patient experiences feelings of sadness and depression. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024

Streaming on Kanopy Kanopy Clue More manic than a British mystery, Clue is a send-up of all the interwar whodunits of the past. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024

Her family has had to call officers to her home during manic episodes. —Ash-Har Quraishi, CBS News, 28 May 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