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

Marcelo’s story keeps everything connected and the humanity in the forefront, but the overall effect is still akin to surfing channels late at night, slipping from one delirious after-hours offering to the next. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2025

Referee Ivan Barton pointed to the spot, sending the home fans delirious, only for the decision to be overturned by VAR. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Huge speakers amplify the booming beat against looming cliffs as ravers dance in delirious abandon. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025

But at its best, All’s Fair brings to mind the delirious Murphy heights of Nip/Tuck, 9-1-1, and Doctor Odyssey, then shoots past them like Icarus making his way toward the sun and an eventual, inevitable fall. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see delirium

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for delirious

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

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