bacchanal

1 of 2

noun

bac·​cha·​nal ˈba-kə-nᵊl 

ˈbä-;

ˌba-kə-ˈnal  ˌbä-kə-ˈnäl 

1

a

: orgy sense 2

b

: orgy sense 3

2

a

: a devotee of Bacchus

especially : one who celebrates the Bacchanalia

b

: reveler

bacchanal

2 of 2

adjective

bac·​cha·​nal ˈba-kə-nᵊl 

: of, relating to, or suggestive of the Bacchanalia : bacchanalian

Examples of bacchanal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This resurgent interest in bacchanals — beer-cchanals? — is not limited to San Diego County. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

Friendship is the electronic music party cruise from Gary Richards, the longtime DJ and party promoter who launched the sailing bacchanal in 2018 and also founded HARD events. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2024

Adjective

The feast played out in both reality and in a bacchanal dream sequence. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Apr. 2023

Of course, production designer Florencia Martin knows all about this bacchanal world. —Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 1 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin, shrine of Bacchus, probably back-formation from Bacchanalia

First Known Use

Noun

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1550, in the meaning defined above