adj
madcap
MAD-kap
Madcap (adj) means Wild, impulsive, or reckless in a way that's often funny rather than dangerous. Example: “The film follows a madcap road trip across three countries.”
adj
1
Wild, impulsive, or reckless in a way that's often funny rather than dangerous.
"The film follows a madcap road trip across three countries."
"Their madcap scheme somehow actually worked."
noun
1
A reckless or impulsive person.
"That madcap tried to cross the river on a raft made of pallets."
How to use madcap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a scheme or person that is wildly impulsive, usually in a comic or lighthearted way.
Common pairings
madcap adventure
madcap scheme
madcap comedy
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Word forms
- Plural
- madcaps
- Comparative
- more madcap
- Superlative
- most madcap
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film follows a _____ road trip across three countries.
Etymology
Literally "mad head" — from mad plus an old informal word for "head", cap.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “madcap” mean?
The word “madcap” means wild, impulsive, or reckless in a way that's often funny rather than dangerous. In plain terms, describes a scheme or person that is wildly impulsive, usually in a comic or lighthearted way.
How do you pronounce “madcap”?
“Madcap” is pronounced MAD-kap (/ˈmædˌkæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “madcap” in a sentence?
Here is “madcap” used in a sentence: “The film follows a madcap road trip across three countries.”
What part of speech is “madcap”?
Depending on how it is used, “madcap” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “madcap” have?
“Madcap” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wild, impulsive, or reckless in a way that's often funny rather than dangerous.
