madly

IPA/ˈmædli/
KK[mˈædli]IPA/ˈmædli/

madly — adverb

1. in a very fast, excited, or uncontrolled way, often because of strong emotion or

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a very fast, excited, or uncontrolled way, often because of strong emotion or urgency

Example

The crowd ran madly toward the stage when the singer finally appeared.

modifies verb of motion: ran madly

Shirin waved her arms madly to catch the attention of a passing taxi.

collocation: waved madly

Common collocations
  • run madly
  • wave madly
  • search madly
  • bark madly
  • rush madly
Synonyms
  • frantically

    emphasizes anxiety or panic more than excitement

  • wildly

    suggests a lack of control or direction

  • desperately

    adds a sense of urgency mixed with hopelessness

  • crazily

    informal; often implies irrational or foolish behaviour

Antonyms
  • calmly

    implies control and relaxation

  • slowly

    implies unhurried movement

Grammar Patterns

verb + madly

ran/waved/searched + madly

Usage Note

Typically follows the verb it modifies. Common with verbs of motion (run, rush, race) and sound (bark, scream, shout). The meaning is neutral regarding the cause — it can describe panic, excitement, or sheer effort.

Common Mistakes

He madly ran to the bus stop.
He ran madly to the bus stop.
As an adverb of manner, 'madly' normally comes after the main verb, not before it.

2. describing a state where someone loves another person with total, overwhelming r

2.adverbB1
Definition

describing a state where someone loves another person with total, overwhelming romantic intensity; especially common in the phrase 'madly in love'

Example

Arjun is madly in love with his neighbour and writes her poems every week.

pattern: madly in love with

The old love letters showed how madly Élise had adored her husband during the war.

Common collocations
  • madly in love
  • love madly
  • fall madly
Synonyms
  • passionately

    stronger emphasis on physical or emotional intensity

  • deeply

    less intense; suggests genuine, lasting affection

  • hopelessly

    adds a note of romantic futility or unrequited love

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

madly in love with [someone]

fall madly for [someone]

love [someone] madly

Usage Note

Most common in the fixed expression 'madly in love'. Can also be used with the verb 'love' or 'adore' directly, but this is less frequent. Avoid using this sense for non-romantic affection (e.g. family love).

3. to a very great degree; extremely, used with certain adjectives to emphasize a q

3.adverbB2
Definition

to a very great degree; extremely, used with certain adjectives to emphasize a quality or state

Example

The design team was madly busy finishing the project before the Friday deadline.

collocation: madly busy

Rodrigo grew madly jealous when his younger sister got the promotion he had wanted.

collocation: madly jealous

Common collocations
  • madly busy
  • madly jealous
  • madly hot
  • madly expensive
Synonyms
  • extremely

    neutral and widely applicable; no emotional colour

  • incredibly

    similar meaning, slightly more emphatic

  • ridiculously

    informal; suggests the degree is surprising or absurd

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

madly + adjective

Usage Note

Restricted to a limited set of adjectives (busy, jealous, hot, expensive, rich, successful). Does not work naturally with all adjectives — for example, 'madly beautiful' or 'madly happy' sound odd. Use 'extremely' or 'incredibly' for broader coverage.

Common Mistakes

She is madly beautiful.
She is incredibly beautiful.
'Madly' as an intensifier is not natural with positive personal qualities like beautiful, kind, or smart.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Madly', 'frantically', 'wildly', 'desperately', and 'crazily' all describe actions done with little control or great urgency, but they carry different shades of meaning. 'Frantically' emphasizes anxiety and panic—someone searches frantically for lost keys because they are afraid. 'Wildly' suggests a lack of restraint or direction, like swinging wildly at a ball without aiming. 'Desperately' adds hopelessness or extreme need, such as desperately trying to stay afloat in deep water. 'Crazily' is informal and often implies irrational behaviour, like crazily dancing on a table at a party. 'Madly' is the most flexible of the group: it covers panic (searching madly), excitement (cheering madly), and sheer speed (running madly) without committing strongly to any one emotional flavour.

frantically ↗wildly ↗desperately ↗crazily ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • madly in love

Prepositions

  • in (as part of 'madly in love')

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'mad' (from Old English 'gemædd', meaning 'out of one's mind' or 'insane') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly' (from Old English '-līce'). Originally used to describe behaviour like that of a mentally ill person, the word gradually softened in meaning over centuries. By the 1600s it was already being used for strong emotions ('madly in love'), and by the 1800s it had expanded into a general intensifier meaning 'extremely'. The modern adverb thus carries all three historical layers: literal loss of control, romantic passion, and casual emphasis.