delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium

delirious mutterings

2

: affected with or marked by delirium

delirious with fever

delirious fans

deliriously adverb

deliriousness noun

Synonyms of delirious

• agitated
• distraught
• frantic
• worried
• frightened

Examples of delirious in a Sentence

As the child's temperature went up, he became delirious and didn't know where he was.

He was delirious with fever.

a group of delirious fans celebrating the team's victory

Recent Examples on the Web

Reactions both delirious and dejected have become a staple on national and global soccer telecasts. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

And fans have been delirious for years about our most exciting attacker, Nestory Irankunda, a twenty-year-old prodigy from Adelaide, who plays for Watford, in England, and who can strike the ball with unteachable grace. — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 1 July 2026

But events conspire to kindle a tiny, perhaps delirious spark of hope. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026

That is especially the case for a co-host that is backed by delirious home crowds and home cooking. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see delirium

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for delirious

• imperious
• mysterious
• deleterious
• nereus
• serious
• sirius

Kids Definition

delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: affected with, marked by, or characteristic of delirium

2

: wildly excited

delirious fans

deliriously adverb

deliriousness noun

Medical Definition

delirious

adjective

de·​lir·​i·​ous di-ˈlir-ē-əs 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of delirium

2

: affected with or marked by delirium

deliriously adverb