Manic and maniac are two words that are very close in spelling and are sometimes confused. We will examine the definitions of manic and maniac, where these two words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.
Manic is an adjective which is a description of wild, excited and perhaps deranged behavior. Manic may be used as a psychological term or simply to mean something or someone behaving at a frantic pace. The word manic is derived from the Greek word mania which means insanity or frenzy, and the suffix –ic which is used when creating an adjective.
A maniac is a person who is displaying wild, excited and perhaps deranged behavior. Maniac is a noun that may also be used as a psychological term or to simply mean someone who is extremely enthusiastic. The word maniac is derived from the French word maniaque, and ultimately from the Greek word mania.
Examples
A woman experiencing postpartum psychosis will change mood very quickly, while some may experience symptoms of mania and depression at the same time. (The Sun)
Hydrangea mania already has deep roots elsewhere around the nation. (The Sacramento Bee)
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ralph Northam has grabbed attention by repeatedly calling President Trump a “narcissistic maniac” at campaign events, and in a TV ad airing statewide and in the metropolitan region, which includes the White House. (The Washington Post)
But defence lawyer Glen Orr argued that Towns was solely to blame for the crash, since he drove like a “maniac” that day. (The Peterborough Examiner)
Just a year ago London maniac Khuram Butt was grandstanding on Channel 4. Now he’s the SECOND ‘jihadi next door’ from the documentary to become a killer, writes RICHARD PENDLEBURY (The Daily Mail)