bacchanalian
Britishadjective
-
characterized by or involving drunken revelry
-
(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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Cuckoo's Calling
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
"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
Although the evening soirees were hardly bacchanalian, the Crowninshields “were of a social set that absolutely loved to entertain,” said Jill MacKenzie, executive director of the Hagley Museum and Library.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 17, 2021
She pressed her way through the bacchanalian crowd who were revelling there in their own ruin.
From The Universal Reciter 81 Choice Pieces of Rare Poetical Gems 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.
