adjective
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relating to or having rabies
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zealous; fanatical; violent; raging
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rabid
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin rabidus “raving, furious, mad,” from rab(ere) “to rave, be mad” + -idus -id 4
Explanation
Chances are that if the tail-wagging dog that just appeared on your doorstep is also foaming at the mouth and chewing on your welcome mat, it's rabid and you should back away slowly; no petting for this infectious pup. While you've likely heard it used to describe an animal infected by rabies, rabid (derived from the Latin verb rabere, "be mad, rave") can also dramatically describe a person exhibiting fanatical, extremely enthusiastic, or raging behavior. That guy who nearly knocked you off the stands at the football game with his energetic fist-pumping and then was later kicked out for getting into a fight with another fan? Rabid on both counts.
Vocabulary lists containing rabid
The Lightning Thief
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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
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"The Hunger Games" Vocabulary from Chapter 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.
Those tourists, along with a newly rabid local fan base, have fueled revenue gains in the hospitality and food service sectors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026
When measuring the furiously growing buzz around the Lakers, one need only heed the hopeful cries of one of their most rabid fans, 6-year-old Jackson Tuyay.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
On the topic of rabid fans: I listened to an episode of “Wilco the Podcast” — these guys are deep in the lore.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
Massachusetts may have a unique bond with the Kennedys, but it has a particularly rabid connection to its hometown coffee brand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026
“At the Mauthen farm, maybe. But this is just the work of a rabid cow- lizard.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
