Words / C2

FEEBR-yl/ˈfiːbraɪl/

Febrile means of fever medically, or, of a mood, nervously agitated and overheated: a febrile atmosphere, febrile speculation. Feverish is the everyday twin; frantic is stronger. February is a lookalike. Do not call a scheduled, dull board febrile to make minutes sound like a thriller.

Meaning

Having a fever; of a mood, nervously excited and agitated (formal).

Examples

• “A febrile press cycle is not a methods section.”
• “Feverish is everyday. Frantic is panic in motion. Medical febrile is a temperature. February is a month. Calm, dated disagreement is not febrile.”

Good to know

Feverish; nervously overheated. Everyday: feverish. Medical: of a fever. Mix-up: February. Dull, minuted dissent is not a fever.

Near in meaning

feverish

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