mad
MAD
Mad (adj) means Angry or annoyed. Example: “She was mad at her brother for breaking her phone.”
adj
1
Angry or annoyed.
"She was mad at her brother for breaking her phone."
"Don't get mad, just tell me what happened."
"Dad was really mad when he found muddy footprints all over the clean floor."
2
Mentally ill or seriously irrational; insane.
"The old story tells of a king who slowly went mad."
"You'd have to be mad to try that jump."
"In the novel, the lonely scientist slowly becomes mad and talks to the walls."
3
Extremely enthusiastic about something; infatuated.
"He's mad about football and never misses a match."
"My little brother is mad about dinosaurs and knows every single name."
"They are mad about each other and spend every spare minute together."
4
(informal) Used to mean a large amount or a high degree of something.
"That car has mad speed for the price."
"There was mad traffic on the way home, so I was an hour late."
"She has mad skills on the skateboard, honestly."
How to use mad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAngry, or (in the older sense) mentally unwell — context tells you which.
UK vs US
In American English, "mad" very commonly just means "angry"; in British English "angry" is more standard and "mad" leans toward "crazy" or "insane".
Common pairings
mad at someone
go mad
mad about
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- mads
- Past tense
- madded
- Comparative
- madder
- Superlative
- maddest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ at her brother for breaking her phone.
Etymology
From Old English gemæd(ed), "made insane", tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to change or damage".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “mad” mean?
The word “mad” means angry or annoyed. In plain terms, angry, or (in the older sense) mentally unwell — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “mad”?
“Mad” is pronounced MAD (/ˈmæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mad” in a sentence?
Here is “mad” used in a sentence: “She was mad at her brother for breaking her phone.”
What is another word for “mad”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mad” include mighty, kinda, hella and helluv.
What part of speech is “mad”?
“Mad” is an adjective.
Where does the word “mad” come from?
The word “mad” comes from Old English. From Old English gemæd(ed), "made insane", tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to change or damage".
Is “mad” a common word?
“Mad” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mad” have?
“Mad” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: angry or annoyed.
What is the difference between mad and angry?
In this sense they mean much the same thing — feeling strong displeasure. Angry is the neutral, standard word, while mad is more informal and especially common in American English. 'I'm mad at you' and 'I'm angry with you' carry the same meaning, though mad sounds more casual and conversational.
Does mad mean angry or crazy?
It can mean either, depending on region and context. In American English, mad most often means angry or annoyed. In British English, mad traditionally means insane, wild, or crazy, as in 'mad with excitement.' Context usually makes the intended sense clear, but the two meanings can cause genuine confusion between dialects.
Is mad formal or informal?
Meaning angry, mad is informal and best suited to casual speech and writing. In more formal settings, 'angry,' 'annoyed,' or 'irritated' are usually preferred. Mad has a relaxed, everyday feel, which makes it common in conversation but less fitting for professional reports, official letters, or serious formal prose.
What is the opposite of mad?
When mad means angry, its opposites include calm, pleased, and content. 'Happy' or 'delighted' contrast with it when the anger is directed at a situation. Each opposite points to a settled, untroubled state rather than the irritation and displeasure that mad describes in this sense.
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