Word
madhouse
Phoneticsmad·house, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmædˌhaʊs/
UK/mˈædhaʊs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a place or situation that is very noisy, busy, and disorganized. You use this word when everything feels out of control and chaotic.
n. a scene or situation characterized by extreme confusion, noise, or chaotic activity. Historically used to refer to an asylum for the mentally ill, though this sense is now considered offensive or archaic.
Examples
“The office becomes a madhouse right before the holiday break.”
“With three toddlers running around and the dog barking at the mailman, the living room was a total madhouse.”
“The department store was a complete madhouse during the morning of the clearance sale, as hundreds of shoppers scrambled to secure the limited stock.”
Examples
simple
“The office becomes a madhouse right before the holiday break.”
contextual
“With three toddlers running around and the dog barking at the mailman, the living room was a total madhouse.”
complex
“The department store was a complete madhouse during the morning of the clearance sale, as hundreds of shoppers scrambled to secure the limited stock.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “madhouse” in context.
Verb
01. escape madhouse
“I needed to escape the madhouse of the city and spend some time in the woods.”
verb + noun
02. madhouse erupts
“A madhouse erupted in the courtroom when the controversial verdict was read.”
noun + verb
03. resemble madhouse
“The train station resembled a madhouse after all the morning flights were canceled.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. absolute madhouse
“The department store was an absolute madhouse during the holiday sale.”
adj + noun
05. complete madhouse
“With three toddlers running around, the living room was a complete madhouse.”
adj + noun
06. veritable madhouse
“The office turned into a veritable madhouse as the deadline approached.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. bit of madhouse
“It's a bit of a madhouse in there right now, so you might want to wait outside.”
noun + prep + noun
08. like a total madhouse
“The kitchen was like a total madhouse while they were preparing the wedding feast.”
09. turn into a madhouse
“The peaceful protest quickly turned into a madhouse once the gates were opened.”
Usage
Commonly used with the definite article ('the madhouse') or as a singular noun to describe a specific environment.
Real-World Examples
“But its parliament has been a "madhouse" since the Brexit vote, adds another German paper, Die Welt.” Etymology
From mad + house.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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