What does madly mean?
Madly is an adverb meaning with intense enthusiasm, excitement, or lack of restraint. It is especially common in expressions such as “madly in love,” where it conveys a feeling that is powerful and overwhelming rather than merely ordinary. The word can also describe actions performed frantically or without control, as in “He ran madly through the station,” and can indicate an extreme degree of something, as in “The prices became madly expensive.” In British English, “madly” is frequently used conversationally to mean “very much,” for example, “I’m madly interested in the proposal.” Although it may sound informal and emphatic, it is widely used in both British and American English.
adverbWith great enthusiasm, excitement, or lack of restraint. It can also mean extremely or excessively, often with a sense of wildness or lack of judgement.
- With great enthusiasm, excitement, or emotional intensity.
- In a wild, frantic, or uncontrolled manner.
- To an extreme degree; excessively.
"She was madly in love with the idea of moving abroad."
"The crowd cheered madly when the winning goal was scored."
"The restaurant has become madly expensive in recent years."
Madly captures the feeling of doing something with such infectious excitement that restraint seems to disappear.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does madly come from?
Madly is formed from the adjective mad with the adverbial suffix -ly. The adjective mad has roots in Old English and developed through Middle English from meanings connected with abnormal mental states, frenzy, and uncontrolled behaviour. Its modern sense of enthusiastic or wildly enthusiastic is an extension of the idea of frenzy. The related noun madness also reflects this history, while maddening and maddened continue the same derivational pattern.
Related word forms
How madly is actually used
Informal and often emphatic. In British English, it is also commonly used to mean “very much,” as in “I’m madly keen on the idea.”
Easily confused with madly
Mad is primarily an adjective meaning mentally unwell, extremely enthusiastic, or wildly impractical, while madly is the adverb describing an action or feeling done with great intensity.