Saturnalia
noun
An event or time of wild, excessive fun or pleasure.
The yearly company picnic was often seen as a true saturnalia, with bosses and employees mingling freely, music playing loudly, and food and drink in abundance.
Often appears as...
- enjoy a saturnalia
- a real saturnalia
noun
A festival in ancient Rome in honor to the god Saturn, marked by unrestrained celebration and joy.
During the saturnalia, slaves were given the freedom to do and say what they liked, a rare instance of social role reversal.
Usage tips
Historical
noun
An event or time of wild, excessive fun or pleasure.
The yearly company picnic was often seen as a true saturnalia, with bosses and employees mingling freely, music playing loudly, and food and drink in abundance.
Often appears as...
- enjoy a saturnalia
- a real saturnalia
noun
A festival in ancient Rome in honor to the god Saturn, marked by unrestrained celebration and joy.
During the saturnalia, slaves were given the freedom to do and say what they liked, a rare instance of social role reversal.
Usage tips
Historical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Wild Celebration
Saturnalia refers to wild, boisterous festivities, not calm or formal gatherings.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is comparable to a modern-day saturnalia.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Freedom
Despite its wildness, 'saturnalia' often carries a positive connotation of freedom and enjoyment.
The streets were alive with a sense of saturnalia after the team's victory.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Use
While 'saturnalia' can describe any wild party, it might be too formal or literary for everyday speech.
Their reunion turned from a barbecue to a full-scale saturnalia.
Pro Tip 1/3Wild Celebration
Saturnalia refers to wild, boisterous festivities, not calm or formal gatherings.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is comparable to a modern-day saturnalia.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Freedom
Despite its wildness, 'saturnalia' often carries a positive connotation of freedom and enjoyment.
The streets were alive with a sense of saturnalia after the team's victory.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Use
While 'saturnalia' can describe any wild party, it might be too formal or literary for everyday speech.
Their reunion turned from a barbecue to a full-scale saturnalia.
Pro Tip 1/3Wild Celebration
Saturnalia refers to wild, boisterous festivities, not calm or formal gatherings.
The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is comparable to a modern-day saturnalia.
Pro Tip 2/3Positive Freedom
Despite its wildness, 'saturnalia' often carries a positive connotation of freedom and enjoyment.
The streets were alive with a sense of saturnalia after the team's victory.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Use
While 'saturnalia' can describe any wild party, it might be too formal or literary for everyday speech.
Their reunion turned from a barbecue to a full-scale saturnalia.
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Quote examples
Wyndham Lewis
English Author
In the democratic western countries so-called capitalism leads a saturnalia of 'freedom', like a bastard brother of reform.
Quote examples
Wyndham Lewis
English Author
In the democratic western countries so-called capitalism leads a saturnalia of 'freedom', like a bastard brother of reform.
Example 1 of 1
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