madness
/ˈmædnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmædnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmad-nəs/ (ame, mw)
madness — noun
1. behaviour or plans that are extremely foolish and likely to cause harm, loss, or
behaviour or plans that are extremely foolish and likely to cause harm, loss, or serious trouble
Ryo knew that driving after three drinks was sheer madness, but he did it anyway.
collocation: sheer madness
It would be madness to invest all your savings in one company.
pattern: it is madness to + infinitive
Tamar called her brother's plan to quit without savings an act of madness.
The plan to build on the protected beach was called madness by the community.
There is a fine line between brave risk-taking and sheer madness.
文法句型
it is madness to + infinitive
sheer / absolute / pure madness
用法筆記
Commonly used in the patterns 'it would be madness to…' and 'sheer / absolute / pure madness' for emphasis. Always uncountable in this sense.
常見錯誤
2. a historical term for severe mental disorder that is now considered disrespectfu
a historical term for severe mental disorder that is now considered disrespectful and is no longer used in professional settings
In the nineteenth century, doctors used the term madness to describe a wide range of mental disorders.
collocation: the term madness
Nia explained that her great-grandmother's condition would not be called madness by doctors today.
passive: be called madness by
Modern mental-health campaigns have replaced outdated words like madness with more respectful terms.
The old asylum records listed madness as the cause for many of the patients' stays.
Historical documents show how the label of madness was used against women who broke social rules.
- sanity
the modern opposite, referring to sound mental health
文法句型
the term / label of madness
用法筆記
Now considered offensive when used about a specific person. Prefer 'mental illness', 'mental health condition', or specific clinical terms. Still appears in historical texts and fixed idiomatic expressions.
常見錯誤
3. a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or joy that feels almost out of contr
a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or joy that feels almost out of control
When the band walked on stage, the crowd erupted in a frenzy of pure madness.
collocation: pure madness
Bilal described the carnival atmosphere as a joyful madness that swept through the whole city.
collocation: joyful madness
The fans' madness peaked when the team scored the winning goal in the final minute.
What started as a small street party grew into a madness that lasted three days.
There was a brief madness during the festival, with people rushing to grab the best seats.
文法句型
a madness (for something)
madness + of + event
用法筆記
Typically uncountable, though 'a madness' is possible to describe a specific instance of collective excitement. Often describes group behaviour at concerts, festivals, or sports matches. Carries a positive or neutral connotation here, distinct from the negative tone of sense 1.
常見錯誤
4. a state of extremely strong anger, often making someone act violently or irratio
a state of extremely strong anger, often making someone act violently or irrationally
When Otis saw the damage to his car, a blind madness seemed to take hold of him.
collocation: blind madness
Élise later regretted the harsh words she had said in a moment of madness during the argument.
collocation: moment of madness
Reema's voice was shaking with madness as she described how her passport had been stolen.
The driver's sudden madness after the crash frightened everyone at the scene.
There was a look of cold madness in Christopher's eyes that made the others step back.
文法句型
a moment of madness
in a fit of madness
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'a moment of madness' to describe a brief but intense angry reaction. Less frequent than 'rage' or 'fury' in everyday speech; carries a stronger implication that the anger causes irrational behaviour.