Word
madman
Phoneticsmad·man, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmædˌmæn/
UK/mˈædmən/
Countable noun
Definition
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.
Examples
“He drove like a madman through the narrow streets.”
“The neighbors thought he was a madman for trying to build a three-story boat in his tiny backyard.”
“History often remembers the visionary as a madman until their seemingly impossible theories are finally proven correct by the passage of time.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
Often used in the simile 'like a madman' to describe intense or reckless activity.
Etymology
From mad + -man.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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