Basic Details
Word: Maniac
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who shows extreme enthusiasm or excitement for something, often in a way that seems irrational.
Synonyms: Enthusiast, fanatic, zealot
Antonyms: Amateur, casual person
Idioms and Phrases
- Manic with excitement: Refers to someone who is overly excited and energetic. Example: "The children were manic with excitement when they saw the circus coming to town."
- Go through the roof: Describes someone becoming extremely angry or excited. Example: "When he found out he had won the competition, his excitement went through the roof!"
Usage Examples
Example 1: He was a maniac about the new video game, playing it for hours on end without a break.
Example 2: The crowd was filled with maniacs cheering for their favourite band during the concert.
Example 3: Her maniac passion for painting led her to create dozens of artworks in a single week.
Fun Fact
The term "maniac" originally comes from a Greek word "maniakos", relating to madness and frenzy. Historically, it referred to a person suffering from a mental disorder, but today it is often used to describe someone with intense enthusiasm.
Famous Quote
"There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have made this distinction a number of times." - Robert Anton Wilson
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "maniac" mean?
a) A calm person
b) A person with extreme enthusiasm
c) Someone who dislikes something
d) A casual observer
Answer: b) A person with extreme enthusiasm
2. Which of these is a synonym of "maniac"?
a) Amateur
b) Fanatic
c) Bystander
d) Critic
Answer: b) Fanatic
3. Which sentence uses "maniac" correctly?
a) The maniac walked slowly through the park.
b) The maniac was very passionate about his hobby.
c) The maniac disliked playing games.
d) The maniac fell asleep during the movie.
Answer: b) The maniac was very passionate about his hobby.
4. What does it mean to be "manic with excitement"?
a) Being very calm
b) Feeling extremely tired
c) Showing uncontrolled excitement
d) Being uninterested
Answer: c) Showing uncontrolled excitement
5. What is the opposite of "maniac"?
a) Participant
b) Casual person
c) Observer
d) Competitor
Answer: b) Casual person
