Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

bacchanale

noun
Save Word
bac·​cha·​nale | \ " \
plural -s

Definition of bacchanale

: a ballet whose dances are marked by voluptuousness or pagan abandon

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of bacchanale

1916, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bacchanale

French, back-formation from bacchanales bacchanalia, from Latin bacchanalia

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bacchanale

Time Traveler for bacchanale

Time Traveler

The first known use of bacchanale was in 1916

See more words from the same year

Statistics for bacchanale

Cite this Entry

“Bacchanale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacchanale. Accessed 13 Jun. 2021.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

titanic

Listen to the pronunciation of titanic

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Thing: Dog Breeds

  • any of a breed of small compact heavy-boned dogs developed in france and having erect ears
  • Name that dog!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
AlphaBear 2

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games