madder

¹ American  

[mad-er] / ˈmæd ər /

noun

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

2. the root of this plant, formerly used in dyeing.

3. the dye or coloring matter itself.

4. a color produced by such a dye.

---

madder ² American  

[mad-er] / ˈmæd ər /

adjective

1. comparative of mad.

---

madder ¹ British  

/ ˈmædə /

noun

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

2. the root of this plant

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

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

---

madder ² British  

/ ˈmædə /

adjective

1. the comparative of mad

---

Etymology

Origin of madder

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

Example Sentences

"I'm mad about the price, but I'm even madder about why it's so high," the 28-year-old told AFP.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

"And of course now I'm even madder than I was before because I've thought of little else now for two years."

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025

But I don’t think they have been, and I’ve been trying to unpack why I often feel madder after scrolling than I ever did on Twitter.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2025

Cutuli uses the root of “rubia tinctorum,” or rose madder, for the famous Pompeiian red.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

We get mad at those who hurt or deceive us—we get even madder when they make us feel like fools.

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben