manic

adjective

man·​ic ˈma-nik 

: affected with, relating to, characterized by, or resulting from mania

had a manic personality

his manic work pace

manic noun

manically

ˈma-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of manic in a Sentence

a manic sense of humor

Recent Examples on the Web

Moore begins with a whisper and builds to a roar as Mona improvises a manic rant that involves rats and the plague. — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

With each increasingly manic and outlandish installment, the franchise carved out its own peculiar place in Hollywood history. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

As the manic character starts to chip away and the real Lyons begins to break through, the show reveals itself as something far more vulnerable. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Drugs such as Lamictal and lithium, along with anticonvulsants and antipsychotics, can help control manic and depressive episodes, quiet racing thoughts and sleep problems, and curb risky behavior. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek manikós "mad, crazy," from manía "madness, frenzy, mania" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing manic

• manic depression
• manic-depressive
• manic-depressive illness
• manic episode

Rhymes for manic

• bannock
• laennec
• panic
• stannic
• tannic
• aldermanic
• inorganic
• magellanic
• messianic
• oceanic
• pozzolanic
• talismanic

Medical Definition

manic

1 of 2 adjective

man·​ic ˈman-ik 

: affected with, relating to, or resembling mania

manically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

manic

2 of 2 noun

: an individual affected with mania