ENGLISH
REFERENCE

manic

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈmænɪk// UK //mˈænɪk// man·ic

adj. behaving in a very excited, busy, or nervous way. It describes someone who has too much energy and cannot stay still or calm.

adj. characterised by or exhibiting extreme excitement, energy, or frantic activity. Often used to describe a state of high-pressure work or a person's erratic behavior during a period of intense stress.


SIMPLE

The office was manic just before the big deadline.

CONTEXTUAL

After three days without sleep, he had a manic look in his eyes and spoke far too quickly.

COMPLEX

The director's manic energy on set was both inspiring and exhausting, as he demanded constant revisions and refused to break for meals until every shot was perfect.

Synonyms
Origin

From mania + -ic; Ancient Greek μανικός (manikós). Compare maniac.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'seem'.

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