What does saturnalia mean?
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival honouring Saturn that began on December 17 and included religious observances, gift-giving, feasting, games, and public entertainments. It is remembered partly because many of its customs involved a temporary relaxation of ordinary rules and the granting of gifts to dependents and slaves. The term has also acquired a broader figurative meaning: a period of intense festivity, merriment, or indulgence. In this sense, it often implies that celebration has become excessive or disorderly, as when a formal gathering is described as a saturnalia of music, food, and elaborate entertainment. Although the word comes from a Latin plural, English regularly uses it with both plural and singular agreement. Its historical connection with Saturn gives it a distinctive cultural resonance, while its modern figurative use conveys exuberance on a large and uninhibited scale.
nounIn ancient Rome, a festival beginning on December 17 in honour of Saturn, marked by gift-giving, feasting, and public entertainments. By extension, it refers to an occasion of extravagant or disorderly revelry.
- The ancient Roman festival of Saturn, held in December with feasting, gift-giving, entertainment, and the temporary suspension of social restraints.
- A prolonged period of extravagant celebration, merriment, or revelry.
"The palace was transformed into a saturnalia of music, food, and reckless celebration."
"The Saturnalia began with religious observances but quickly developed into a week of public feasts and entertainments."
"Their wedding reception became a saturnalia of dancing, music, and exuberant speeches."
Although traditionally plural in origin and often used with plural agreement, Saturnalia is also used as a singular count noun.
"The Romans celebrated the saturnalia with sacrifices, presents, games, and communal feasting."
The Roman festival of Saturn grew from a week of gifts and feasting into one of the ancient world's biggest celebrations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does saturnalia come from?
The word comes from Latin Saturnalia, the neuter plural of Saturnalis, meaning “of Saturn” or “pertaining to Saturn.” Ancient Romans used it as the name of the festival honouring Saturn, with its familiar modern sense of widespread revelry arising from those celebrations. English also borrowed related forms such as Saturnian from the name of the Roman god Saturn.
Related word forms
How saturnalia is actually used
The word is commonly treated as a plural noun, although singular use is also established. In its extended sense, it usually suggests festivity that is extravagant, uninhibited, or disorderly and therefore carries a note of excess.