Dionysian

American  

[dahy-uh-nish-uhn, -nis-ee-uhn, -nahy-see-] / ˌdaɪ əˈnɪʃ ən, -ˈnɪs i ən, -ˈnaɪ si- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or honoring Dionysus or Bacchus.

2. recklessly uninhibited; unrestrained; undisciplined; frenzied; orgiastic.

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Dionysian British  

/ ˌdaɪəˈnɪzɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Dionysus

2. (sometimes not capital) (in the philosophy of Nietzsche) of or relating to the set of creative qualities that encompasses spontaneity, irrationality, the rejection of discipline, etc

3. (often not capital) wild or orgiastic

4. of or relating to any of the historical characters named Dionysius

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Etymology

Origin of Dionysian

First recorded in 1600–10; Dionys(us) + -ian

Compare meaning

How does dionysian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Apollonian vs. Dionysian

Example Sentences

We grow up to discover there are names in every culture for that — yin and yang, the Apollonian and Dionysian, Vishnu and Shiva, thesis and antithesis, the law of contraries, the dialectic.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024

“He was a pillar of the scene here, a beloved and trusted counselor to fellow artists, an amiably enlightening interlocutor with critics and an impish presence who embodied theater’s Dionysian spirit.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2023

To stay sane, she releases her pent-up frustration at her gigs, where her furious guitar playing, powerful vocals and introspective songwriting torch the everyday drabness of her life with a Dionysian flame.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2023

While some view calling one's behavior "Dionysian" as an insult, conflating sensuality with lecherousness or debauchery, this holiday season, I mean it to say, "Don't choose famine when you have the opportunity to feast."

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022

But as I approached thirteen a Dionysian element stole over my features.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides