Madness

/ˈmædnəs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The state of being mentally ill, especially severely.

The patient was confined to a room due to his madness.

Extreme folly or senselessness.

The madness of the decision to invest all their savings into a single risky venture shocked everyone.

A state of frantic or chaotic activity.

The madness of the holiday shopping season can be overwhelming.

Middle English madnesse, from Old English gemædnes, meaning folly.

madness is a state of mind

Refers to unconventional or irrational thinking.

a touch of madness

A small amount of eccentricity or unpredictability.

madness in method

Refers to having an unusual method that appears insane but is actually logical.

mad

Affected by mental illness; insane.

crazy

Mentally deranged or extremely enthusiastic.

insane

In a state of severe mental illness.

Going crazy

I’m going mad with all this work!

Doing something wild

That party was pure madness!