mania

noun ma·nia \ˈmā-nē-ə, -nyə\

: mental illness in which a person becomes very emotional or excited

: extreme enthusiasm for something that is usually shared by many people

Full Definition of MANIA

: excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of bipolar disorder

a : excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm <a mania for saving things> —often used in combination

b : the object of such enthusiasm

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Origin of MANIA

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek, from mainesthai to be mad; akin to Greek menos spirit — more at mind

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MANIA

Synonyms: aberration, dementia, derangement, lunacy, madness, insanity, rage [archaic]

Antonyms: mind, saneness, sanity

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

MANIA Defined for Kids

mania

noun ma·nia \ˈmā-nē-ə, -nyə\

Definition of MANIA for Kids

: extreme enthusiasm <sports mania>

Medical Dictionary

mania

noun ma·nia \ˈmā-nē-ə, -nyə\

Medical Definition of MANIA

: excitement of psychotic proportions manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of bipolar disorder