feverish

adjective

fe·​ver·​ish ˈfē-vər-ish 

ˈfē-vrish

1

a

: tending to cause fever

b

: having the symptoms of a fever

c

: indicating or relating to fever

2

: marked by intense emotion, activity, or instability

feverish excitement

feverishly adverb

feverishness noun

Synonyms of feverish

• heated
• excited
• agitated

Examples of feverish in a Sentence

She was feeling tired and feverish.

He had a feverish appearance.

Recent Examples on the Web

In this novel, originally published in 1967, the sense of feverish pursuit and longing starts on page one and does not let up. —The Know, Denver Post, 31 May 2026

For decades, the Alamos authored one of the wildest Hollywood stories of that feverish and freewheeling time. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 28 May 2026

That work drew less feverish bidding, selling after only half a dozen bids. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026

Because the ring is a national treasure, there’s long been feverish coverage devoted to when and where Kate chooses to wear it since her wedding. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

feverish

adjective

fe·​ver·​ish ˈfēv-(ə-)rish 

1

a

: having a fever

b

: of, relating to, or being fever

c

: tending to cause fever

2

: showing great emotion or activity : hectic

feverish excitement

feverishly adverb

feverishness noun

Medical Definition

feverish

adjective

fe·​ver·​ish ˈfēv-(ə-)rish 

1

: showing symptoms indicating fever (as increased heat and thirst or delirium) : having a fever

the patient is feverish

specifically : abnormally hot

the child's forehead felt feverish

2

: of or indicating fever

a feverish condition

3

: infected with or tending to cause fever

a damp, feverish, unhealthy spot

—R. L. Stevenson