frenetic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of frenetic
First recorded in 1350–1400; see origin at frantic
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How does frenetic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
The adjective frenetic is another way to say frenzied, frantic, or totally worked up. Kind of how you'd run around the kitchen madly trying to cook a last-minute dinner for 30 of your closest friends. Sometimes tinged with fear and often quite maniacal, frenetic comes from the Latin phreneticus, meaning “delirious.” The Latin word, in turn, came from a similarly spelled Greek word which, when translated literally, means “inflammation of the brain.” So it's no surprise that a frenetic person looks absolutely crazed and super anxious.
Vocabulary lists containing frenetic
100 SAT Words Beginning with "F"
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The Marrow Thieves
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Articles on Dangers of Technology
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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.
Frenetic by design but also to a fault, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s inventive multiverse-spanning action extravaganza isn’t an unequivocal triumph.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2022
Frenetic multi-tasking—surfing the web while watching TV while listening to music—is a formula for distraction, rather than good management.
From Economist • Dec. 16, 2015
Frenetic live clips from the collective’s many concerts bandy off interviews with MacKaye, Dave Grohl, Kathleen Hanna, Jello Biafra, Ted Leo and Laura Jane Grace, all of whom have played Positive Force gigs.
From The Guardian • Aug. 21, 2015
Panels, covering topics ranging from “Managing a Frenetic Life” to “Wellness and the Bottom Line,” encompassed several boldface names, from the actress Candice Bergen to Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama.
From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2013
Jones' understated excellence contrasted greatly with the second major event of Frenetic Friday.
From Seattle Times • May 2, 2010
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.
