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.

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madder ² American  

[mad-er] / ˈmæd ər /

adjective

1. comparative of mad.

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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

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madder ² British  

/ ˈmædə /

adjective

1. the comparative of mad

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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

You can't be any madder at us than I am...

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

Depending on how things go, the situation might get even madder.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2024

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

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2023

Ben: The fans, who were already absent in revolt, are now far madder.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2023

No one came near me in those days; the maids’ hands shook when they served my food, which only made me madder.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende