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
Michél testified that White did not want Low to attend any of the fundraisers, given his flamboyant lifestyle, including his frequent hosting of bacchanalian parties with celebrities.
From Washington Post • Apr. 18, 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
They seemed mad with the intoxication of victory; they mocked me with their bacchanalian frenzy of triumph.
From Flowers of Freethought (First Series) by Foote, G. W. (George William)
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.
