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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishCompletely out of control, whether from anger, excitement, or panic.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
go berserk
berserk with rage
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Word forms
- Plural
- berserks
- Third person singular
- berserks
- Past tense
- berserked
- Comparative
- more berserk
- Superlative
- most berserk
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →
amuck
amok
Related words
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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