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.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

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.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Going crazy
I’m going mad with all this work!
Doing something wild
That party was pure madness!