noun
madhouse
MAD-hows
Madhouse (noun) means (dated) An institution for people with severe mental illness. Example: “In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the madhouse.”
noun
1
(dated) An institution for people with severe mental illness.
"In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the madhouse."
2
A place that is chaotic, loud, or disorganized.
"The kitchen turns into a madhouse every Friday night."
"With three toddlers running around, the house is a total madhouse."
How to use madhouse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToday almost always used figuratively for a chaotic, hectic place — the older sense of an asylum is considered outdated and insensitive.
When to use it
Avoid the literal "mental institution" sense in modern writing; it reads as dated and offensive. The figurative "chaotic place" sense is standard informal usage.
Common pairings
a total madhouse
turn into a madhouse
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Word forms
- Plural
- madhouses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of mad and house.
Synonyms
View more →
Bedlam
nuthouse
sanatorium
loony bin
nut house
snake pit
funny farm
booby hatch
crazy house
funny house
cuckoo's nest
Related words
Rhymes for madhouse
See all rhymes for madhouse →Frequently asked questions
What does “madhouse” mean?
The word “madhouse” means (dated) An institution for people with severe mental illness. In plain terms, today almost always used figuratively for a chaotic, hectic place — the older sense of an asylum is considered outdated and insensitive.
How do you pronounce “madhouse”?
“Madhouse” is pronounced MAD-hows (/ˈmædˌhaʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “madhouse” in a sentence?
Here is “madhouse” used in a sentence: “In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the madhouse.”
What part of speech is “madhouse”?
“Madhouse” is a noun.
How many meanings does “madhouse” have?
“Madhouse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (dated) An institution for people with severe mental illness.
