What does orgy mean?
An orgy is a period of intense, excessive indulgence, especially in eating, drinking, sex, or celebration. The term can refer literally to a wild party or revelry, but it is also used figuratively for any uncontrolled outbreak of a particular activity, such as a buying frenzy, a display of violence, or a flood of online criticism. Its strong associations with exaggeration and moral excess make it more forceful and often more critical than words such as party or celebration. In literary and figurative contexts, it can describe a particularly intense, uninhibited event, though the word may sound dated, theatrical, or offensive depending on the circumstances.
nounA wild, excessive, or uninhibited celebration marked by extravagant food, drink, and sexual indulgence. By extension, the word can refer to any overwhelming indulgence in pleasure, consumption, or excess.
- A wild and excessive celebration or period of indulgence, especially involving drinking, eating, or sexual activity.
- An extreme or uncontrolled indulgence in something, such as consumption, violence, pleasure, or self-indulgence.
"The festival ended in an orgy of music, dance, and late-night revelry."
"The novel describes a prolonged orgy of greed and political corruption."
"After the concert, the crowd dissolved into an orgy of dancing and drink."
The standard plural is orgies, with the y changed to ies.
"The newspapers described the celebrations as drunken orgies."
The word began as a reference to ancient Greek religious ceremonies, but its modern meaning is far more provocative than its scholarly origins suggest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does orgy come from?
The word entered English in the late 16th century from French orgie, from Latin orgia, and ultimately from Greek orgia, neuter plural of orgion, a rite or festival. In ancient Greek, the term referred to religious ceremonies associated particularly with Dionysus. Its sense broadened over time from organized ritual celebrations to scenes of drinking, sexual excess, and disorder, and eventually acquired a broader figurative meaning of extreme indulgence.
Related word forms
How orgy is actually used
The word is often literary or figurative and may sound dramatic, sensational, or morally judgmental. It can describe excess rather than merely a festive event.
Easily confused with orgy
An orgy is a prolonged period of excessive indulgence or revelry, whereas an orgasm is the peak of sexual arousal and release.