orgy

noun

or·​gy ˈȯr-jē How to pronounce orgy (audio)
plural orgies
1
: secret ceremonial rites held in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman deity and usually characterized by ecstatic singing and dancing
Roman orgies in honor of Bacchus
2
a
: drunken revelry
b
: a sexual encounter involving many people
also : an excessive sexual indulgence (see indulgence sense 1a)
3
: excessive indulgence (see indulgence sense 1a) in something especially to satisfy an inordinate appetite or craving
an orgy of destruction
a national orgy of thrill seeking and risk takingK. T. Greenfeld

Did you know?

Unsexy Orgies

Orgy is a word which for many immediately conjures salacious imagery and blushed cheeks. However, both the oldest and the most recently-adopted senses of this word contain meanings which may not be at all sexual in nature. The word first came into English in the middle of the 16th century in reference to secret ceremonial rites, particularly those of the Romans and ancient Greeks, which involved singing and dancing. The licentious meaning was not added until the beginning of the 18th century. And the most recent senses (“a riotous display” and “a manifestation of extreme indulgence”), which may describe such things as an assembly of garish colors or a spectacle of destruction, appear to date from the late 19th century.

Examples of orgy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scent takes inspiration from retellings of outdoor orgies, with notes of citrus, grass and fresh flowers. Emily Burns, Footwear News, 27 June 2025 Prosecutors have argued Gina was a victim of the same type of violence and marathon orgies as both Ventura and Jane. Kaitlyn Morris, ABC News, 24 June 2025 Oh, also, that little assignation takes place during Talleyrand’s engagement party, which swiftly segues into a massive pansexual orgy, as such events so often do! Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025 In one chapter, Sina adapted choreography used to stage mass battles for an orgy scene at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for orgy

Word History

Etymology

Middle French orgie, from Latin orgia, plural, from Greek; akin to Greek ergon work — more at work

First Known Use

circa 1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of orgy was circa 1561

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Orgy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orgy. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

orgy

noun
or·​gy ˈȯr-jē How to pronounce orgy (audio)
plural orgies
1
: secret ceremonies in honor of an ancient Greek or Roman god usually celebrated by wild singing and dancing
2
: something (as a party) that resembles an orgy in lack of control

More from Merriam-Webster on orgy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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