mad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is angry or to express a state of being crazy or irrational. Example: "She was mad when she found out that her colleague had taken credit for her work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Music

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Has the world gone mad?

The Guardian - Opinion

I thought she was mad, but I clearly needed serious coaching, so Yvonne stood behind the stallholder and fed me my lines by mouthing at me.

The Guardian - Travel

At Westminster the loyalists look at the likes of Nadine Dorries, "Mad Nad" to her detractors, and shake their heads in despair.

The Guardian

Though the US terrestrial networks still employ big writers' rooms, to churn out annual runs of 22 episodes, award-winning cable shows now often rely on the creative vision of a single writer (such as Vince Gilligan for Breaking Bad, and Matt Weiner for Mad Men).

The Guardian

And since you're now coming anyway, here are some tips of what else to see, bearing in mind everything on the programme looks good and mad and free: As they are hosting the party, it would be rude to ignore Everything Everything.

The Guardian

"Everyone looked at me as though I was mad," says Hegarty.

The Guardian

MAD playing in the minds of political strategists on either side of the border might just ensure that the two fragile coalitions in Dublin and Belfast survive for longer than many expected.

The Guardian

"It was a huge win today but you know what, I've drove myself mad ever since I've been here looking at the fixtures of other teams and the league table.

The Guardian - Sport

Because the idea of being on your feet for two hours a day is mad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alex Osborn, the "O" in BBDO, was one of the original mad men who attempted to make the creative aspects of advertising systematic.

The Guardian

I was driving my husband mad, switching things off and asking: "Why is this on?!" The change in how much energy we use at different times was brought home to me at the weekend because we had the family round.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mad" to express enthusiasm or passion, but be mindful of your audience; more formal contexts may require alternatives like "wildly enthusiastic" or "passionate".

Common error

Avoid using "mad" in formal or professional writing when referring to anger or insanity. Opt for words like "angry", "furious", or "mentally unstable" for increased precision and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The word "mad" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of being, whether it's anger (e.g., "She was mad at me"), insanity (e.g., "Are you mad?"), or extreme enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Sport

16%

Travel

12%

Less common in

Music

8%

Film

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "mad" is a versatile adjective with meanings ranging from anger to insanity to enthusiasm. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it acceptable in many contexts, although formal writing may benefit from more precise alternatives. Its high frequency in news and media, coupled with its varying connotations, underscores the importance of considering context when using or interpreting this word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angry

Expresses a feeling of strong displeasure or hostility; a direct synonym in many contexts.

insane

Describes a state of mind that is seriously disturbed; emphasizes mental derangement.

furious

Indicates extreme anger; suggests a higher intensity of emotion.

enraged

Signifies being filled with rage; suggests a loss of control due to anger.

infuriated

Means to be extremely angry and impatient; emphasizes the act of provoking anger.

crazy

Similar to "mad" in colloquial use; can indicate excitement or enthusiasm.

wildly enthusiastic

Captures the sense of being extremely excited or passionate about something.

extremely annoyed

Focuses specifically on the feeling of irritation and displeasure.

mentally deranged

Highlights a severe disturbance in mental faculties.

unhinged

Suggests a state of being mentally unbalanced or unstable.

FAQs

How can I use "mad" in a sentence?

You can use "mad" to describe someone who is angry, as in, "She was "mad" when she found out about the broken vase". It can also mean crazy, as in "Are you "mad" spending all your savings on a car?"

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "mad"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "angry", "furious", "insane", or "annoyed".

Is it correct to use "mad" in formal writing?

While "mad" is commonly used in informal contexts, it's often better to opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. Words like "irate" or "enraged" can provide a more precise tone.

What's the difference between "mad" and "angry"?

While often interchangeable, "angry" typically describes a general feeling of displeasure, while "mad" can sometimes imply a stronger, more intense emotional reaction, approaching rage or even insanity.