What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maniac
Example
He's a maniac when it comes to playing video games. [maniac: noun]
Example
She went maniac and started throwing things around the room. [maniac: adjective]
fanatic
Example
He's a soccer fanatic and never misses a game. [fanatic: noun]
Example
She has a fanatic devotion to her favorite band. [fanatic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fanatic is more commonly used than maniac in everyday language. Fanatic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while maniac is less common and refers to a more specific type of behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between maniac and fanatic?
Both maniac and fanatic are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
