berserk

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "berserk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to mean "violently or destructively frenzied," or as a noun to mean "a person in an uncontrollably violent rage." For example: The students went berserk after they heard the news that their final exams had been cancelled. Or: The situation was getting out of hand as the berserk man threw chairs across the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Berserker, Norwegian berserk, Old Norse berserkr ("bearskin"), in premedieval and medieval Norse and Germanic history and folklore, a member of unruly warrior gangs that worshipped Odin, the supreme Norse deity, and attached themselves to royal and noble courts as bodyguards and shock troops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Length: 12 metres Weight: 9,000kg Aggression index: high People go to Jurassic Park films for one reason – to see T rex go berserk at humans and other dinosaurs.

The Guardian - Film

Everything about it was a dismal reflection of the campaign so far, which has essentially been the political equivalent of watching ineffectual parents trying to meet the berserk demands of a truckload of tyrannical infants at a birthday party.

The Guardian

While everyone else went berserk, The Daily Show was able to take a step back and wonder whether it was right that an organisation such as CNN was filling up airtime with talk of black holes and Bermuda triangles.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But I went berserk when I saw that red card.

The Guardian - Sport

The rest paled into insignificance compared with the off-field activities of Cantona, who briefly went berserk four minutes after half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

Surely he'd go berserk.

The Guardian - Sport

If you open the window the air is fresh; if you put your foot down you can hit racing speed.From the bridge Mumbai's berserk skyline seems hazy; the 23 sets of traffic lights and 40 minutes of furious traffic you are bypassing are like a bad dream.

The Economist

His wife, a teacher, was also lost, and his brother driven berserk by grief.

The Economist

The iPhone on my host's desk starts going berserk with incoming messages.

The Economist

Churches were exempt; institutions such as Catholic hospitals, which employ workers of all faiths, were not.The bishops, naturally, went berserk, but so did conservatives.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "berserk" to vividly describe a sudden and extreme loss of control, whether it's physical, emotional, or mechanical. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the intensity and unexpectedness of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "berserk" in highly formal or professional writing where a more restrained and precise term is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "uncontrolled", "frenzied", or "manic" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival and Nominal Usage: "Berserk" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something as violently or destructively frenzied. It can also function as a noun, referring to a person in an uncontrollably violent rage, originally referring to Norse warriors. Ludwig AI states that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "berserk" is a versatile word, primarily used as an adjective to describe something wildly out of control or frenzied. It can also function as a noun, referring to a person in a state of violent rage. According to Ludwig AI, the word is considered grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts. Common in News & Media, as well as Encyclopedias. While generally acceptable, it should be used with consideration for the formality of the writing context. Alternatives like "out of control" or "frenzied" may be more suitable for highly formal or professional settings. Remember that "berserk" effectively conveys a sense of extreme and unexpected loss of control, making it a powerful descriptor in appropriate scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amok

Similar to berserk, describes wildly uncontrolled or disruptive behavior.

out of control

Emphasizes the loss of control, whether emotional or physical.

went ballistic

Emphasizes a wild, uncontrolled outburst of anger or excitement.

in a frenzy

Describes a state of agitated and uncontrolled activity or emotion.

gone mad

Indicates a state of insanity or extreme irrationality, similar to losing control.

raving mad

Describes someone who is extremely angry and expressing it in a loud, uncontrolled way.

flying into a rage

Highlights the sudden onset of intense anger.

lost it

A colloquial expression for suddenly losing one's temper or composure.

unhinged

Suggests a mental or emotional instability, leading to erratic behavior.

flipped out

Suggests a sudden and intense emotional reaction, often negative.

FAQs

How can I use "berserk" in a sentence?

You can use "berserk" to describe someone or something that has gone violently out of control, for example, "The crowd went berserk when the team won", or "The machine started running berserk after the power surge".

What does it mean when someone goes "berserk"?

When someone goes "berserk", it means they have lost control of their emotions or actions and are behaving in a wild and often destructive manner. Similar phrases include "gone mad" or "lost it".

Are there different ways to spell "berserk"?

No, the spelling of "berserk" is consistent. However, the term "berserker" refers to a Norse warrior who fought in a wild, uncontrollable rage.

Is it appropriate to use "berserk" in formal writing?

While "berserk" is widely understood, it might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "out of control", "frenzied", or "manic" to maintain a professional tone.