madder

[ mad-er ]

/ ˈmæd ər /

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noun

any plant of the genus Rubia, especially the climbing R. tinctorum, of Europe, having open clusters of small, yellowish flowers.Compare madder family.

the root of this plant, formerly used in dyeing.

the dye or coloring matter itself.

a color produced by such a dye.

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Origin of madder

before 1000; Middle English mad(d)er,Old English mæd(e)re; cognate with Old Norse mathra,Old High German matara

Words nearby madder

madcap, mad cow disease, MADD, madden, maddening, madder, madder family, madder lake, madding, maddish, mad-dog

Other definitions for madder (2 of 2)

madder²

[ mad-er ]

/ ˈmæd ər /

adjective

comparative of mad.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH madder

madder , matter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use madder in a sentence

Late last week, McDonough assured us that Obama is “madder than hell” about the VA fiasco.
The Scandal at the VA Is Real, and Obama Is Ducking It|Ron Christie|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thus the new marching orders: get madder about the same old things - but in an even more deranged fashion.
David's Bookclub: 'Bullies'|Justin Green|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They're going to eventually face defense cuts which will make the hawks madder than hell.
Is Demography Destiny?|Megan McArdle|November 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
On the other hand, in fairness to them, if they had read the book, they'd no doubt be madder still.
Malkin-Bots Ineptly Strike Back|David Frum, Justin Green|September 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST

In fact, among some pockets of the rich, the more Republicans cut their taxes, the madder they get.
Romney’s ‘47 Percent’ Comments Were Bad Economics and Bad Politics|Daniel Gross|September 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Jack asked a little sharply, and Howard replied, "No, sir; she was madder than a hatter; you've no cause to be jealous."
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes
So he rode before the host with his forty knights, no spirit madder than he,—a very St. George when he fell upon the Moslems.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis
Nonie's cheeks were scarlet; she was getting madder and madder with every word she said.
We Ten|Lyda Farrington Kraus
Mis Betsy wud pitch in en say things that made 'em madder en madder.
That Old-Time Child, Roberta|Sophie Fox Sea
She was a poor, mad creature that I met in my wandering—even madder than myself, perhaps, for I remember it all distinctly.
A Dreadful Temptation|Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller

British Dictionary definitions for madder (1 of 2)

madder¹

/ (ˈmædə) /

noun

any of several rubiaceous plants of the genus Rubia, esp the Eurasian R. tinctoria, which has small yellow flowers and a red fleshy root

the root of this plant

a dark reddish-purple dye formerly obtained by fermentation of this root; identical to the synthetic dye, alizarin

a red lake obtained from alizarin and an inorganic base; used as a pigment in inks and paints

Word Origin for madder

Old English mædere; related to Middle Dutch mēde, Old Norse mathra

British Dictionary definitions for madder (2 of 2)