madly

[ mad-lee ]

See synonyms for madly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

insanely or wildly: The old witch cackled madly.
with desperate haste or intensity; furiously: They worked madly to repair the bridge.

foolishly: They lived madly, wasting all their money.
extremely: They're madly in love.

Origin of madly

A Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at mad, -ly

Words Nearby madly

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

How to use madly in a sentence

After being married for 60-plus years, I am madly in love with my wife.
Words on Love From the Wise | Stephen Starr | August 22, 2021 | Ozy
The two connected on multiple levels — spiritual, physical, artistic, political — and fell madly in love.
The Love Story of John and Yoko, 50 Years Later | Sean Braswell | August 3, 2021 | Ozy
When a woman he had been madly in love with broke up with him, I spent many evenings listening to how amazing she was and pouring the wine for him.
How My Ex-Husband Became One of My Best Friends | Claire Fuller | May 10, 2021 | Time
This view of an unhinged de Vil driving madly through the city is a familiar one.
Her crazy driving is a key element of Cruella de Vil’s evil. Here’s why. | Genevieve Carpio | April 2, 2021 | Washington Post
For many, the experience is similar to madly refreshing the Ticketmaster page in hopes of scoring rare concert tickets, except they aren’t quite signing up to see Bruce Springsteen or Ariana Grande.
For younger generation, securing vaccine appointments for parents can be ‘full-time job’ | Travis Andrews | February 2, 2021 | Washington Post

“Still madly Crazy” is a fairly typical piano ballad that nonetheless transcends the genre for two reasons.
Robin Thicke’s ‘Paula’ Is What You Shouldn’t Do When You Get Dumped | Andrew Romano | June 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Florida teens Brandon Goode and Alex Hollinghurst were madly in love, and wanted to run away together.
The Teen Love Letters that Led to a Tragic Murder-Suicide in Florida | Michael Daly | March 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Offers Ukraine aid package of… (twisting pinky finger in the corner of his mouth and grinning madly) …ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
PJ O’Rourke on Putin’s Crimea for Help | P. J. O’Rourke | March 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
After a series of flirtatious encounters in the park, the two fall madly, passionately in love.
Inside ‘Blue is the Warmest Color’ And The Year’s Most Controversial Sex Scene | Marlow Stern | October 25, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
It pulls you in, makes you fall madly in love, and then, as in all affairs, the honeymoon period ends.
Writers on Their Difficult—And Not So Difficult—Break-Ups with New York City | | October 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The moment was an awkward one, and Cynthia wished madly that she had not been prompted to ask that unfortunate question.
The Boarded-Up House | Augusta Huiell Seaman
On the state-coach went, down the steep, driving the mules madly before it.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
It was a thought worthy of his black nature, but that he madly loved the girl, there was no doubt.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
Thenceforth, it ebbed, though it raged madly for a while in the effort to sweep away the obstruction.
The Red Year | Louis Tracy
Thus, when the audience madly rushed for an exit, numerous individuals were crushed since the doors could not be opened outwardly.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia | Dorothy M. Torpey

British Dictionary definitions for madly

madly

/ (ˈmædlɪ) /

adverb

in an insane or foolish manner
with great speed and energy

informal extremely or excessively: I love you madly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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