adj

berserk

BUR-surk

Berserk (adj) means Out of control with rage or excitement; wildly violent or frenzied. Example: “The crowd went berserk when the home team scored in the final second.”

adj

Out of control with rage or excitement; wildly violent or frenzied.

"The crowd went berserk when the home team scored in the final second."

"He went berserk when he found out his car had been towed."

How to use berserk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCompletely out of control, whether from anger, excitement, or panic.

Easily confused with

berserker →

Common pairings

go berserk berserk with rage

Word forms

more berserk comparative, berserked past tense, berserks plural, berserks singular, most berserk superlative

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Fill the gap

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The crowd went _____ when the home team scored in the final second.

Etymology

From Old Norse berserkr, describing a legendary Norse warrior who fought in a wild frenzy, possibly wearing a bear pelt ("bear-shirt") into battle.

Origin: Old Norse

Frequently asked questions

What does “berserk” mean?

The word “berserk” means out of control with rage or excitement; wildly violent or frenzied. In plain terms, completely out of control, whether from anger, excitement, or panic.

How do you pronounce “berserk”?

“Berserk” is pronounced BUR-surk (/ˈbɚˌsɚk/ in IPA).

How do you use “berserk” in a sentence?

Here is “berserk” used in a sentence: “The crowd went berserk when the home team scored in the final second.”

What part of speech is “berserk”?

“Berserk” is an adjective.

Where does the word “berserk” come from?

The word “berserk” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse berserkr, describing a legendary Norse warrior who fought in a wild frenzy, possibly wearing a bear pelt ("bear-shirt") into battle.

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Vocabulary lists that include berserk:

Words with old Norse origins