bacchanalian
Britishadjective
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characterized by or involving drunken revelry
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(often capital) of or relating to the orgiastic rites associated with Bacchus
Explanation
The ancient Roman god Bacchus was no teetotaler. A bacchanalian party is a wild, wine-soaked, rowdy affair. Bacchanalian is used to describe any event that Bacchus would have enjoyed. The Romans celebrated Bacchus with wine, songs, dances and more wine — not the kind of behavior you would expect from self-respecting adults (and probably not the kind of thing they would tell their kids about). Another word for bacchanalian is Dionysian, in honor of the Greek god of wine and crazy parties. Any kind of wild revelry can be described as bacchanalian.
Vocabulary lists containing bacchanalian
Mardi Gras: Fun
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The Cuckoo's Calling
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The bacchanalian troupe astonished audiences with their transcendent performances, leaving fans wanting more.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2024
Her new music reflects those bacchanalian nights, where people found freedom to be themselves "free from police, free from judgement", said Monaé.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2023
He did this by hosting bacchanalian parties, often in Las Vegas, and bestowing absurdly lavish gifts on his growing stable of celebrity acquaintances.
From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2023
"With the bean now a baby and the ball a bacchanalian celebration, the cake remains a sweet way to break bread with your fellow revelers," he said.
From Fox News • Mar. 1, 2022
Against this proposal some of his acquaintances protested; but the idea pleased his own disordered fancy, and as the madness of intoxication increased, he insisted that the bacchanalian honour should be conferred upon him.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 14 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
