mentally ill; insane, very angry, extremely enthusiastic about someone or something

be mad as hell, have a mad on, mad money

mad as a hatter, drive someone mad, mad about

Formal and Informal Expressions of mad

In different contexts, you can replace 'mad' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'angry, enraged' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'crazy, nuts' is a commonplace synonym.

mad: Explore its Definition & Usage

mad Definition

1mentally ill; insane
2very angry
3extremely enthusiastic about someone or something

Using mad: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mad" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He went mad after losing his job.
Example
I'm mad at you for forgetting my birthday.
Example
She's mad about horses and spends all her free time riding.
Example
The crowd went mad with excitement when the band started playing.

mad Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for mad

Antonyms for mad

Idioms Using mad

be mad as hell
to be extremely angry
Example
I'm mad as hell that they canceled my favorite TV show.
have a mad on
to be very angry at someone
Example
She has a mad on for her ex-boyfriend after he cheated on her.
mad money
money set aside for frivolous or unexpected expenses
Example
I always keep some mad money in my wallet in case I see something I really want to buy.

Phrases with mad

mad as a hatter
completely crazy or insane
Example
After years of working in the chemical plant, he was mad as a hatter.
drive someone mad
to make someone very angry or frustrated
Example
The constant noise from the construction site is driving me mad.
mad about
to be very enthusiastic about someone or something
Example
She's mad about her new boyfriend and can't stop talking about him.

Origins of mad

from Old English 'gemǣdde', meaning 'out of one's mind'

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Summary: mad in Brief

The term 'mad' [mæd] has three main meanings: mentally ill or insane, very angry, and extremely enthusiastic. It can be used to describe people, emotions, or situations. Examples include 'He went mad after losing his job,' 'I'm mad at you for forgetting my birthday,' and 'She's mad about horses.' Idioms like 'be mad as hell' and 'have a mad on' emphasize extreme anger, while 'mad money' refers to money set aside for frivolous expenses.