pyromaniac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency, C1/C2 vocabularyFormal (clinical/psychological), sometimes used colloquially/hyperbolically
Quick answer
What does “pyromaniac” mean?
A person who has an obsessive impulse to set things on fire.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who has an obsessive impulse to set things on fire.
Someone with pyromania, a mental disorder characterized by a compulsive desire to start fires, often experiencing tension or arousal before the act and relief or pleasure afterward. Colloquially, it can be used to describe someone who is excessively enthusiastic about fire or fireworks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The clinical diagnosis is identical.
Connotations
Both carry the same strong negative, pathological connotation. In informal hyperbolic use, it might be slightly more common in AmE (e.g., 'He's like a pyromaniac with those fireworks').
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily encountered in news reports about arson, psychological contexts, or figurative language.
Grammar
How to Use “pyromaniac” in a Sentence
[be/be diagnosed as] a pyromaniachave the impulses of a pyromaniacbehave like a pyromaniacVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pyromaniac” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The psychiatrist explained what it means to pyromaniac (very rare as verb).
American English
- He was pyromaniacing (non-standard, extremely rare).
adverb
British English
- He acted almost pyromaniacally, unable to resist the urge.
American English
- She stared pyromaniacally at the bonfire (rare).
adjective
British English
- He exhibited pyromaniac tendencies from a young age.
American English
- The investigation pointed to pyromaniac behavior rather than profit-motivated arson.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Potentially in insurance or risk assessment reports concerning deliberate fire damage.
Academic
Used in psychology, psychiatry, criminology, and forensic science texts discussing impulse control disorders.
Everyday
Rare in literal sense. Used hyperbolically or in news reports about arson cases.
Technical
A clinical term in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) for a diagnosis under 'Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pyromaniac”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pyromaniac”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pyromaniac”
- Using it to describe anyone who likes fires or candles (hyperbole is acceptable but not literal).
- Confusing with 'arsonist' (which is a legal, not necessarily psychological, term).
- Misspelling: 'pyromaniac' (correct) vs. 'pyromaniac' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. An 'arsonist' is anyone who commits the crime of arson (deliberately setting fires). A 'pyromaniac' is a specific type of arsonist whose actions stem from a diagnosed psychological impulse-control disorder. All pyromaniacs are arsonists, but not all arsonists are pyromaniacs.
Only hyperbolically and very informally, e.g., 'You're such a pyromaniac with that barbecue lighter!' This is figurative and not clinically accurate. It carries risk of being offensive if used lightly around serious topics.
'Pyromania' is the name of the mental disorder or condition (the abstract noun). A 'pyromaniac' is a person who suffers from pyromania (the agent noun).
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term. Most learners will encounter it in crime dramas, psychological articles, or advanced reading, not in everyday conversation.
A person who has an obsessive impulse to set things on fire.
Pyromaniac is usually formal (clinical/psychological), sometimes used colloquially/hyperbolically in register.
Pyromaniac: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpaɪ.rəʊˈmeɪ.ni.æk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpaɪ.roʊˈmeɪ.ni.æk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Informal/Figurative] Like a kid/pyromaniac in a fireworks factory - meaning someone in a situation where they can indulge a dangerous obsession.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Break it down: PYRO (fire, from Greek 'pyr') + MANIAC (obsessed person). Think: 'A maniac for fire.'
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSESSION IS A DISEASE / DESTRUCTIVE IMPULSE IS FIRE
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the key diagnostic feature of a pyromaniac?