noun

maenad

MEE-nad

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Maenad (noun) means In Greek mythology, a female follower of Dionysus known for wild, ecstatic celebration. Example: “The vase painting shows a maenad dancing with a thyrsus in hand.”

noun

mythology In Greek mythology, a female follower of Dionysus known for wild, ecstatic celebration.

"The vase painting shows a maenad dancing with a thyrsus in hand."

"In the play, a chorus of maenads follows the god through the mountains."

"Ancient sources describe the maenads as caught up in a frenzy of devotion."

How to use maenad

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA maenad is one of the wild, celebrating female followers of Dionysus in Greek myth.

When to use it

The word belongs mainly to classical, literary and art-historical writing rather than everyday speech.

Memory tip

Remember the plural can be either maenads or maenades, following the Greek pattern.

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Common pairings

a maenad's dance a frenzy of maenads depicted as a maenad

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “maenad” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The vase painting shows a _____ dancing with a thyrsus in hand.

Etymology

The word comes from Latin, which took it from Ancient Greek mainas, meaning raving or frantic, itself from a verb meaning to rage or be mad. That verb traces back to an ancient root connected with the mind and mental activity.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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bacchante Baccha

Frequently asked questions

What does maenad mean?

A maenad is a female follower of the god Dionysus in Greek mythology, associated with frenzied, ecstatic worship.

Where does the word maenad come from?

It comes via Latin from the Ancient Greek word for raving or frantic, related to a verb meaning to rage or be mad.

Is maenad the same as a bacchante?

Yes, bacchante is a recognised synonym for maenad, both referring to female followers of the wine god.

What is the meaning of maenad?

"maenad" (noun) means in Greek mythology, a female follower of Dionysus known for wild, ecstatic celebration.