adjective

delirious

dih-LEER-ree-uhs

adjective

In a confused, disoriented state, often caused by illness or fever.

"He was delirious with fever and didn't recognize his own family."

Wildly excited or ecstatic.

"Fans were delirious when the team scored the winning goal."

How to Use Delirious

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither confused and feverish from illness, or wildly, uncontrollably excited.

Common pairings

delirious with fever delirious with joy delirious fans

more delirious comparative, most delirious superlative

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He was _____ with fever and didn't recognize his own family.

From "delirium" plus -ous, ultimately from Latin delirus, "crazy" or "off track."

yous nous pious joyous famous odious porous mucous Aldous heinous ominous curious