What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
madman
Example
The madman was shouting and throwing things at people on the street. [madman: noun]
Example
She went madman when she found out her car had been stolen. [madman: adjective]
maniac
Example
The maniac attacked several people with a knife before being apprehended by the police. [maniac: noun]
Example
He's a maniac when it comes to surfing - he'll go out in any weather condition. [maniac: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Maniac is more commonly used than madman in everyday language. Maniac is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while madman is less common and often has negative connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between madman and maniac?
Both madman and maniac are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
