Word
delirium
Phoneticsdelir·i·um
US/dɪˈɫɪɹiəm/
UK/dɪlˈɪɹiəm/
Definition
n. a state of being very confused and having strange thoughts, often because of a high fever or a serious illness. You might feel like you are seeing things that are not there.
n. a state of mental confusion characterized by incoherent speech and hallucinations, typically resulting from a high fever or severe illness. Often used to describe a temporary loss of mental clarity.
Examples
“The patient suffered from delirium after the surgery.”
“Doctors monitored the patient closely for signs of delirium, as high fevers can cause severe confusion in the elderly.”
“The sudden onset of delirium often signals a systemic infection or metabolic imbalance, requiring immediate intervention to prevent further neurological damage.”
Examples
simple
“The patient suffered from delirium after the surgery.”
contextual
“Doctors monitored the patient closely for signs of delirium, as high fevers can cause severe confusion in the elderly.”
complex
“The sudden onset of delirium often signals a systemic infection or metabolic imbalance, requiring immediate intervention to prevent further neurological damage.”
Real-World Examples
“It could have just been the sleep-deprived delirium of early fatherhood, but I felt a moral responsibility to act.” “In excessive doses it can cause confusion or even delirium.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dēlīrium (“derangement, madness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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