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.
Steppenwolf and Circle Rep, with their combination of theatrical fearlessness, searing intensity and rabid teamwork, helped shape Mantello’s aesthetic.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Far from cheapening the brand, Ferrari’s rabid base of superfans only enhances the brand’s appeal to clients who can afford to pay millions of dollars for a car they will rarely drive.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
When measuring the furiously growing buzz around the Lakers, one need only heed the hopeful cries of one of their most rabid fans.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
I’m not a rabid capitalist, but why should art be different from other things?
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
The rabid little American I call Paul Lazzaro in this book had about a quart of diamonds and emeralds and rubies and so on.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
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.
