What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
madcap
Example
The madcap adventurer decided to climb the mountain without any gear. [madcap: adjective]
Example
The group of friends had a madcap idea to travel across the country in a van. [madcap: noun]
reckless
Example
He drove recklessly on the highway, endangering himself and others. [recklessly: adverb]
Example
Her reckless spending habits led to financial ruin. [reckless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reckless is more commonly used than madcap in everyday language. Reckless is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while madcap is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between madcap and reckless?
Both madcap and reckless are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation or writing. However, reckless may be used in more formal contexts, such as legal or academic writing, to describe behavior that is negligent or dangerous.