rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈra-bəd 

also

ˈrā- 

1

a

: extremely violent : furious

b

: going to extreme lengths in expressing or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion

rabid editorials

a rabid supporter

2

: affected with rabies

rabidity

rə-ˈbi-də-tē 

ra-

rā-

noun

rabidly

ˈra-bəd-lē 

 also  ˈrā-

adverb

rabidness noun

Synonyms

• extreme
• radical
• revolutionary
• fanatical

Examples of rabid in a Sentence

a politician with rabid supporters

Her husband is a rabid baseball fan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Apple Music anchor Ebro Darden takes the stage, DJ D-Nice drops down the volume and Carey and SZA take the stage to roars from the rabid fans in the audience, who have been waiting outside all afternoon. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025

But Bruce was also shielding the big man from the rabid autograph seekers. —Jeff Chang september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025

During an appearance on This Past Weekend podcast, the Saturday Night Live alum spoke with host Theo Von about the ups and downs of fame, which includes the rabid response from fans that can change from praise to criticism at a moment's notice. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025

After years of rabid anticipation, mostly by Charlotte transplants, Wegmans supermarket is finally under construction in Charlotte. —Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin rabidus mad, from rabere

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rabid

adjective

ra·​bid ˈrab-əd 

 also  ˈrā-bəd

1

: extremely violent : furious

2

: going to extreme lengths (as in interest or opinion)

rabid supporters

3

: affected with rabies

a rabid dog

rabidly adverb

Medical Definition

rabid

adjective

ra·​bid

ˈrab-əd also ˈrā-bəd

: affected with rabies

a rabid dog