frenzy

[ fren-zee ]
/ ˈfrɛn zi /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR frenzy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural fren·zies.

extreme mental agitation; wild excitement or derangement.
a fit or spell of violent mental excitement; a paroxysm characteristic of or resulting from a mania: He is subject to these frenzies several times a year.

verb (used with object), fren·zied, fren·zy·ing.

to drive to frenzy; make frantic: She was frenzied by fear when she smelled the smoke.

Origin of frenzy

1300–50; Middle English frenesie < Old French < Late Latin phrenēsis < Late Greek, for Greek phrenîtis; see phrenitis

OTHER WORDS FROM frenzy

fren·zi·ly, adverb

Words nearby frenzy

frenulum of prepuce, frenulum of pudendal lips, frenulum of tongue, frenum, frenzied, frenzy, freon, freq., frequency, frequency band, frequency curve

Words related to frenzy

turmoil, fever, madness, burst, fury, rage, excitement, mania, passion, free-for-all, furor, outburst, craze, hysteria, agitation, ruction, seizure, conniption, convulsion, transport

Example sentences from the Web for frenzy

British Dictionary definitions for frenzy

frenzy
/ (ˈfrɛnzɪ) /

noun plural -zies

violent mental derangement
wild excitement or agitation; distraction
a bout of wild or agitated activity a frenzy of preparations

verb -zies, -zying or -zied

(tr) to make frantic; drive into a frenzy

Word Origin for frenzy

C14: from Old French frenesie, from Late Latin phrēnēsis madness, delirium, from Late Greek, ultimately from Greek phrēn mind; compare frenetic