adv
Uncommon
madly
MAD-lee
Madly (adv) means In an extreme, intense, or uncontrolled way — often used with "in love". Example: “They fell madly in love within weeks of meeting.”
adv
1
In an extreme, intense, or uncontrolled way — often used with "in love".
"They fell madly in love within weeks of meeting."
"The dog ran madly around the garden chasing its tail."
2
In an angry or furious manner.
"He gestured madly at the referee after the missed call."
How to use madly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWildly, intensely, or furiously — most often heard in the phrase "madly in love".
Common pairings
madly in love
run around madly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- madlier, more madly
- Superlative
- madliest, most madly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They fell _____ in love within weeks of meeting.
Etymology
From mad plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for madly
See all rhymes for madly →Frequently asked questions
What does “madly” mean?
The word “madly” means in an extreme, intense, or uncontrolled way — often used with "in love". In plain terms, wildly, intensely, or furiously — most often heard in the phrase "madly in love".
How do you pronounce “madly”?
“Madly” is pronounced MAD-lee (/ˈmædli/ in IPA).
How do you use “madly” in a sentence?
Here is “madly” used in a sentence: “They fell madly in love within weeks of meeting.”
What part of speech is “madly”?
“Madly” is an adverb.
Is “madly” a common word?
“Madly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “madly” have?
“Madly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in an extreme, intense, or uncontrolled way — often used with "in love".
