madly
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈædli/
US
- /ˈmædli/
Description
- Intensely
- Passionately
- Wildly
- Frantically
"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.
The word "madly" is an adverb that describes doing something with extreme feeling, energy, or urgency. It comes from an older sense of "mad," but in modern English it is often used to mean "wildly," "frantically," or simply "very" or "extremely," depending on the context.
You might hear someone say they are "madly in love," which means their feelings are very strong and seem to take over everything else. In a story, a person might laugh, dance, or cheer "madly," showing a rush of emotion and energy rather than calm self-control. The word often gives a scene movement and intensity.
"Madly" can also describe frantic or hurried activity. Imagine someone searching "madly" for lost keys before an important meeting; it suggests a desperate rush driven by stress or panic. It is also used as an intensifier in phrases like "madly jealous," "madly excited," or "madly ambitious," where it means "extremely" rather than literally out of control.
Sometimes the word suggests a loss of control, and sometimes it simply adds force to a feeling or action. It can be romantic, joyful, nervous, reckless, or intense in a more general way. So when something happens "madly," the idea is usually that it is happening with unusual force, speed, or emotion.
Examples
- 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
Animal reaction
The dog barked madly when the doorbell rang.
- 3
Urgent gesture
He waved madly from the platform as the train pulled away.
- 4
Deadline pressure
They worked madly all afternoon to finish the report before five.
- 5
Strong emotion
I used to be madly jealous whenever she talked to him.
- 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