madly
madly — adverb
1. in a very fast, excited, or uncontrolled way, often because of strong emotion or
in a very fast, excited, or uncontrolled way, often because of strong emotion or urgency
The crowd ran madly toward the stage when the singer finally appeared.
modifies verb of motion: ran madly
Shirin waved her arms madly to catch the attention of a passing taxi.
collocation: waved madly
Tunde searched madly through every drawer for his lost house keys.
The neighbour's dogs barked madly as the fire engines sped past the house.
Min rushed madly to the station but still missed the last train home.
- frantically
emphasizes anxiety or panic more than excitement
- wildly
suggests a lack of control or direction
- desperately
adds a sense of urgency mixed with hopelessness
- crazily
informal; often implies irrational or foolish behaviour
文法句型
verb + madly
ran/waved/searched + madly
用法筆記
Typically follows the verb it modifies. Common with verbs of motion (run, rush, race) and sound (bark, scream, shout). The meaning is neutral regarding the cause — it can describe panic, excitement, or sheer effort.
常見錯誤
2. describing a state where someone loves another person with total, overwhelming r
describing a state where someone loves another person with total, overwhelming romantic intensity; especially common in the phrase 'madly in love'
Arjun is madly in love with his neighbour and writes her poems every week.
pattern: madly in love with
The old love letters showed how madly Élise had adored her husband during the war.
In the film, two strangers on a train fall madly for each other by dawn.
Antonia knew she was madly in love when she could not stop smiling all day.
- passionately
stronger emphasis on physical or emotional intensity
- deeply
less intense; suggests genuine, lasting affection
- hopelessly
adds a note of romantic futility or unrequited love
- coldly
suggests emotional distance
- indifferently
suggests a lack of romantic interest
文法句型
madly in love with [someone]
fall madly for [someone]
love [someone] madly
用法筆記
Most common in the fixed expression 'madly in love'. Can also be used with the verb 'love' or 'adore' directly, but this is less frequent. Avoid using this sense for non-romantic affection (e.g. family love).
3. to a very great degree; extremely, used with certain adjectives to emphasize a q
to a very great degree; extremely, used with certain adjectives to emphasize a quality or state
The design team was madly busy finishing the project before the Friday deadline.
collocation: madly busy
Rodrigo grew madly jealous when his younger sister got the promotion he had wanted.
collocation: madly jealous
It was madly hot inside the attic, so we opened every window we could find.
The restaurant near the harbour was madly expensive but the fish was delicious.
- extremely
neutral and widely applicable; no emotional colour
- incredibly
similar meaning, slightly more emphatic
- ridiculously
informal; suggests the degree is surprising or absurd
文法句型
madly + adjective
用法筆記
Restricted to a limited set of adjectives (busy, jealous, hot, expensive, rich, successful). Does not work naturally with all adjectives — for example, 'madly beautiful' or 'madly happy' sound odd. Use 'extremely' or 'incredibly' for broader coverage.