noun
Uncommon
madman
MAD-muhn
Madman (noun) means a man who behaves in an insane, irrational, or extremely reckless way. Example: “He drove like a madman to get to the hospital in time.”
noun
1
A man who behaves in an insane, irrational, or extremely reckless way.
"He drove like a madman to get to the hospital in time."
"The crowd cheered as the madman on stage smashed his guitar."
How to use madman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA man acting wildly, irrationally, or with reckless disregard for danger.
When to use it
Often used loosely and hyperbolically for reckless behavior rather than literal mental illness; some consider it insensitive in clinical contexts.
Common pairings
drive like a madman
scream like a madman
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Word forms
- Plural
- madmen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He drove like a _____ to get to the hospital in time.
Etymology
A compound of mad and man.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for madman
See all rhymes for madman →Frequently asked questions
What does “madman” mean?
The word “madman” means a man who behaves in an insane, irrational, or extremely reckless way. In plain terms, a man acting wildly, irrationally, or with reckless disregard for danger.
How do you pronounce “madman”?
“Madman” is pronounced MAD-muhn (/ˈmædˌmæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “madman” in a sentence?
Here is “madman” used in a sentence: “He drove like a madman to get to the hospital in time.”
What part of speech is “madman”?
“Madman” is a noun.
Is “madman” a common word?
“Madman” is an uncommon word in modern English.
