delirious

IPA

Dictionary definition of delirious

Intense excitement, confusion, or disorientation that is often associated with a physical or emotional disturbance.
"The marathon runner crossed the finish line delirious with exhaustion."

Detailed meaning of delirious

People experiencing delirium may exhibit symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and incoherent speech. Delirious states can be brought on by various factors, including high fever, drug use, sleep deprivation, or severe emotional stress. Delirium can be a serious condition that requires medical attention, as it may indicate an underlying medical condition or medication side-effect. However, in certain contexts, delirious can also have positive connotations, such as when describing a state of extreme happiness or joy, or an outburst of creative energy.

Example sentences containing delirious

1. The crowd became delirious with joy when their team won.
2. Her fever left her feeling delirious and disoriented.
3. The festival atmosphere made everyone feel delirious.
4. His delirious laughter echoed through the room.
5. The news of their engagement left her feeling deliriously happy.
6. The roller coaster ride left me feeling delirious.

History and etymology of delirious

The adjective 'delirious' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'delirium,' which is a combination of 'de,' meaning 'away from,' and 'lira,' meaning 'furrow' or 'path.' Originally, 'delirium' referred to a state of mental disturbance or confusion in which a person wandered away from the usual course of thought or behavior, much like deviating from a prescribed path. This deviation often resulted from a physical or emotional disturbance. Over time, the term 'delirious' evolved in English to describe the state of intense excitement, confusion, or disorientation that is often associated with such disturbances, whether they are physical, emotional, or even drug-induced. The word retains its historical link to straying from the norm, emphasizing the departure from a coherent state of mind or behavior.

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Further usage examples of delirious

1. The party was a delirious celebration of their success.
2. The music had a delirious beat that got everyone dancing.
3. After hours of hard work, they were delirious with exhaustion.
4. The unexpected surprise left her feeling delirious with excitement.
5. The feverish dream left him feeling delirious and confused.
6. The wild applause of the audience made the performers feel deliriously proud.
7. The delirious anticipation of the holiday season filled the air.
8. The delirious joy of a child opening presents on Christmas morning is priceless.
9. His delirious rantings made no sense to those around him.
10. The delirious pace of the city left me feeling overwhelmed.
11. The delirious cheers of the fans filled the stadium.
12. The scent of fresh-baked cookies left her feeling deliriously hungry.
13. The delirious feeling of being in love can be overwhelming.
14. The delirious excitement of the adventure was contagious.
15. The feverish patient was delirious and unable to speak coherently.
16. The children were delirious with excitement when they saw the amusement park.
17. The partygoers were delirious with joy as the countdown to midnight began.
18. The musician played a delirious solo that left the audience spellbound.
19. The skydiver felt delirious as she soared through the air.
20. The soccer fans were delirious with happiness when their team won the championship.
21. The actor gave a delirious performance that earned a standing ovation.
22. The passengers on the rollercoaster were delirious with fear and excitement.
23. The painter was in a delirious state of creativity and produced several masterpieces.
24. The couple was delirious with love and couldn't keep their hands off each other.
25. The drug caused the user to become delirious and experience hallucinations.