delirious

USAGE SUMMARY

'delirious' is an acceptable word to use in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of extreme joy, excitement or enthusiasm, usually as a result of a positive situation. Example sentence: She was delirious with joy when she heard the news that she got the job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latter is a delirious surrealist fantasy involving a murderous child, a dreamy girl who might be his mother, a pirate who keeps her prisoner on a rocky island, incestuous relationships, a castration and a rape.

The Guardian - Film

Spero recycled the anguished outpourings by the poet Antonin Artaud: terrified recollections of electric shock therapy, crazed railings against God and the universe, delirious streams of obscene "fecal poetry".

The Guardian - Arts

Deep in added time the Watford captain, Deeney, broke down the right wing and found Vydra in glorious isolation and the Czech made no mistake with a clinical finish in front of those delirious travelling supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

Mclean describes that delirious night of celebration as the sweetest of her life.

The Guardian - Sport

Updated at 1.08pm BST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.00pm BST13:00 Have a gander at our picture of the day, featuring the thronged, delirious masses on Buttertubs yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

Eddie Howe's side journeyed along the south coast and went four points clear at the top of the Championship thanks to Yann Kermorgant's wonderfully-struck free-kick and a solo effort by Callum Wilson in front of a pack of their delirious supporters on Friday night.

The Guardian - Sport

He said Jeanetta sounded delirious, ranting about stabbing people and killing herself.

The Guardian

As the stadium swayed with ecstatic Leeds fans, Charlton looked down and out, but in a second period of extra-time that seemed to reflect their whole season, they simply refused to give up, captain Peter Shirtliff calmly slotting home an equaliser with just seven minutes to go, before his header from an Andy Peake free-kick sent the small pocket of Charlton fans delirious.

The Guardian - Sport

Thankfully, much of Saturday's line-up sweeps you along with the same kind of delirious momentum.

The Guardian - Music

But 'The Happy Song' is so delirious it sounds too good to be true.

The Guardian - Music

Elsewhere, it would be great to see an Oscar for best adapted screenplay go to Paul Thomas Anderson's almost experimentally delirious version of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice — what a wonderful film — and the best foreign language Oscar to Andrey Zvyagintsev's Leviathan or Paweł Pawlikowski's Ida.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delirious" to describe a state of extreme excitement or happiness, but be mindful of the context, as it can also imply a loss of control or rationality.

Common error

Avoid using "delirious" in contexts where clinical delirium (a medical condition involving confusion and disorientation) is being discussed. Use more precise medical terminology instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "delirious" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of extreme excitement, happiness, or mental confusion. As Ludwig highlights, it can be used to describe intense joy or an altered mental state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Sport

21%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Music

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delirious" is an adjective commonly used to describe a state of extreme excitement, joy, or, in some cases, mental confusion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's generally acceptable in written English, but context matters. It is frequently found in News & Media and Sports reporting, with neutral formality. While synonyms like "ecstatic" or "euphoric" can be used, it's crucial to avoid confusion with the medical term "delirium" in formal contexts. Be mindful of these nuances to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ecstatic

Indicates a higher degree of joy and excitement, often surpassing normal happiness.

euphoric

Suggests a state of intense happiness and well-being, sometimes artificially induced.

overjoyed

Conveys a strong feeling of happiness, typically in response to good news or a positive event.

frenzied

Emphasizes a wild and uncontrolled excitement, often accompanied by agitation.

rapturous

Implies a feeling of intense pleasure or enthusiasm.

intoxicated

Suggests a state of being overwhelmed with joy or excitement, similar to the effects of alcohol.

in a frenzy

Describes a state of uncontrolled excitement or agitation.

beside oneself

Indicates being overwhelmed by a strong emotion, often joy or excitement.

in seventh heaven

Suggests being in a state of perfect happiness.

on cloud nine

Similar to "in seventh heaven", indicating a state of extreme happiness.

FAQs

How can I use "delirious" in a sentence?

You can use "delirious" to describe someone experiencing extreme excitement or joy, such as "The fans were "ecstatic" and "delirious" after the team's victory."

What are some synonyms for "delirious"?

Alternatives include "ecstatic", "euphoric", "overjoyed", or "frenzied", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "delirious" to describe a feeling?

Yes, it is correct. "Delirious" is often used to describe a feeling of extreme happiness, excitement, or even a slightly irrational state due to intense emotions.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "delirious"?

It's best to avoid using "delirious" in formal or serious contexts where a medical condition (delirium) is being discussed, as it can cause confusion. Choose a more appropriate adjective like "excited" or "thrilled".