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madly

A2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /mˈædli/

US

  • /ˈmædli/

Description

"Madly" is not usually about anger. It often describes something done with very strong feeling or energy, like falling madly in love or working madly to finish on time. Think of it as turning the volume of a feeling way up. It can also mean frantically or a little wildly, like running madly to catch a train. Sometimes it simply means "extremely," as in being madly jealous or madly excited. The word often suggests strong emotion and a sense of not being fully calm or controlled.

Examples

  1. 1

    Romantic feeling

    She fell madly in love with her best friend.

    • Pattern

      madly in love with + person

      deeply in love with that person

  2. 2

    Animal reaction

    The dog barked madly when the doorbell rang.

  3. 3

    Urgent gesture

    He waved madly from the platform as the train pulled away.

  4. 4

    Deadline pressure

    They worked madly all afternoon to finish the report before five.

  5. 5

    Strong emotion

    I used to be madly jealous whenever she talked to him.

  6. 6

    Informal emphasis

    The flat is tiny and madly expensive.

    • Usage

      madly expensive

      extremely expensive; informal

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • madlyadverb