ENGLISH
REFERENCE

orgy

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɔɹdʒi// UK //ˈɔːdʒi// or·gy

n. a party or event where many people have sex together. It can also describe doing too much of one thing at once, like eating or shopping.

n. a wild party or gathering characterised by excessive indulgence in sexual activity; by extension, any period of uncontrolled or excessive activity in a specific area.


SIMPLE

The film depicted a wild orgy in ancient Rome.

CONTEXTUAL

After the stock market crashed, there was a frantic orgy of selling as investors tried to save their capital.

COMPLEX

The tabloid media engaged in a feeding orgy of speculation following the celebrity's sudden disappearance, prioritising sensationalist headlines over verified facts or respect for the family's privacy.

Synonyms
Origin

Originally in plural from French orgies, from Latin orgia, from Ancient Greek ὄργια (órgia, “secret rites, mysteries”).

Usage

Often used metaphorically with 'of' to describe an excess of a specific action (e.g., 'an orgy of violence').

© 2026 English Reference