madness

American  

[mad-nis] / ˈmæd nɪs /

noun

1. the state of being mad; insanity.

2. senseless folly.

   It is sheer madness to speak as you do.

3. frenzy; rage.

4. intense excitement or enthusiasm.

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madness British  

/ ˈmædnɪs /

noun

1. insanity; lunacy

2. extreme anger, excitement, or foolishness

3. a nontechnical word for rabies

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madness Idioms  

1. see method in one's madness.

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Other Word Forms

• premadness noun

Etymology

Origin of madness

First recorded in 1350–1400, madness is from the Middle English word madnesse. See mad, -ness

Example Sentences

Rather than trying never to repeat their mistakes, we worked to emulate the madness of their methods.

From The Wall Street Journal

But her raucous Georgie made me wonder why this solitary older gentleman was tolerating her intrusive madness.

From Los Angeles Times

The situation was infuriating, just one small piece of the pain and madness that consumed his life.

From Los Angeles Times

So there's a method to this madness and taking this fight does not affect AJ's legacy.

From BBC

"It was a crazy game. The defences have been obliterated. It was absolute madness."

From BBC

Related Words

• absurdity
• craziness
• delusion
• foolishness
• hysteria
• lunacy
• mania
• mental illness
• stupidity