ENGLISH
REFERENCE

madman

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmædˌmæn// UK //mˈædmən// mad·man

n. someone who behaves in a very dangerous, wild, or foolish way. It is often used to describe someone who takes unnecessary risks or acts without thinking.

n. a person who behaves in an extremely foolish, reckless, or irrational manner. While historically used to describe someone with a mental illness, modern usage typically focuses on dangerous or unpredictable behavior.


SIMPLE

He drove like a madman through the narrow streets.

CONTEXTUAL

The neighbors thought he was a madman for trying to build a three-story boat in his tiny backyard.

COMPLEX

History often remembers the visionary as a madman until their seemingly impossible theories are finally proven correct by the passage of time.

Synonyms
Origin

From mad + -man.

Usage

Often used in the simile 'like a madman' to describe intense or reckless activity.

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