madness

madness — 名詞

1. behaviour or plans that are extremely foolish and likely to cause harm, loss, or

1.名詞B2
釋義

愚蠢之舉

極不理智且危險的行為

behaviour or plans that are extremely foolish and likely to cause harm, loss, or serious trouble

例句

Ryo knew that driving after three drinks was sheer madness, but he did it anyway.

Ryo 知道喝了三杯酒後開車簡直是愚蠢之舉，但他還是這麼做了。

collocation: sheer madness

It would be madness to invest all your savings in one company.

把所有的積蓄都投在一家公司裡簡直是愚蠢之舉。

pattern: it is madness to + infinitive

同義詞
  • folly

    more formal and slightly milder; suggests poor judgment rather than dangerous recklessness

  • lunacy

    stronger and more emotional; implies behaviour that is both foolish and crazy

  • absurdity

    focuses on the illogical or ridiculous quality rather than the danger

反義詞
  • sanity

    opposite in the sense of sensible, well-reasoned behaviour

  • wisdom

    opposite in the sense of good judgment shown in decisions

文法句型

it is madness to + infinitive

sheer / absolute / pure madness

用法筆記

Commonly used in the patterns 'it would be madness to…' and 'sheer / absolute / pure madness' for emphasis. Always uncountable in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌It was madness of him to go alone.
✅It was madness for him to go alone.' or 'It was sheer madness to go alone.
💡The correct pattern is 'madness to + verb' or 'madness for + object + to + verb', not 'madness of someone.'

2. a historical term for severe mental disorder that is now considered disrespectfu

2.名詞B2
釋義

精神失常

過去對精神疾病的稱呼

a historical term for severe mental disorder that is now considered disrespectful and is no longer used in professional settings

例句

In the nineteenth century, doctors used the term madness to describe a wide range of mental disorders.

在十九世紀，醫生用「精神失常」這個詞來描述各式各樣的精神障礙。

collocation: the term madness

Nia explained that her great-grandmother's condition would not be called madness by doctors today.

Nia 解釋說，她曾祖母的狀況在今天的醫生口中已經不會被稱為精神失常了。

passive: be called madness by

同義詞
  • insanity

    similar historical weight; still used in legal contexts (insanity defence) but also considered dated

  • lunacy

    even more dated; originally linked to the belief that madness was affected by the moon

反義詞
  • sanity

    the modern opposite, referring to sound mental health

文法句型

the term / label of madness

用法筆記

Now considered offensive when used about a specific person. Prefer 'mental illness', 'mental health condition', or specific clinical terms. Still appears in historical texts and fixed idiomatic expressions.

常見錯誤

❌She was diagnosed with madness in 2020.
✅She was diagnosed with a mental health condition in 2020.
💡Using 'madness' for a specific person's mental illness is considered offensive in modern English.

3. a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or joy that feels almost out of contr

3.名詞C1
釋義

狂熱

難以控制的興奮或熱情

a state of extreme excitement, enthusiasm, or joy that feels almost out of control

例句

When the band walked on stage, the crowd erupted in a frenzy of pure madness.

樂團走上舞台時，群眾陷入一陣純粹的狂熱之中。

collocation: pure madness

Bilal described the carnival atmosphere as a joyful madness that swept through the whole city.

Bilal 形容嘉年華的氣氛是一種席捲全城的歡樂狂熱。

collocation: joyful madness

同義詞
  • frenzy

    slightly stronger; suggests more chaotic and uncontrolled activity

  • hysteria

    can overlap in meaning but carries a more negative connotation of irrational panic

  • mania

    suggests an intense, almost obsessive enthusiasm for a specific thing or activity

反義詞
  • calm

    opposite state of quiet and control

  • boredom

    opposite emotional response to an event

文法句型

a madness (for something)

madness + of + event

用法筆記

Typically uncountable, though 'a madness' is possible to describe a specific instance of collective excitement. Often describes group behaviour at concerts, festivals, or sports matches. Carries a positive or neutral connotation here, distinct from the negative tone of sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌I felt a madness about the new movie.
✅The fans were in a state of madness about the new movie.
💡This sense typically describes collective or visible excitement shared by a group, not personal enthusiasm.

4. a state of extremely strong anger, often making someone act violently or irratio

4.名詞B2
釋義

盛怒

極強烈的憤怒情緒

a state of extremely strong anger, often making someone act violently or irrationally

例句

When Otis saw the damage to his car, a blind madness seemed to take hold of him.

Otis 看到自己的車受損時，一股莫名的盛怒好像控制了他。

collocation: blind madness

Élise later regretted the harsh words she had said in a moment of madness during the argument.

Élise 事後後悔自己在爭吵中一時盛怒之下說出的那些傷人的話。

collocation: moment of madness

同義詞
  • fury

    very close in meaning, but 'fury' suggests a more explosive and outward expression of anger

  • rage

    the most common word for intense anger; 'madness' adds a layer of irrationality

  • wrath

    more formal and literary; suggests anger that seeks punishment or revenge

反義詞
  • calm

    opposite emotional state, free from anger

  • composure

    focuses on self-control, the opposite of losing control to anger

文法句型

a moment of madness

in a fit of madness

用法筆記

Common in the fixed phrase 'a moment of madness' to describe a brief but intense angry reaction. Less frequent than 'rage' or 'fury' in everyday speech; carries a stronger implication that the anger causes irrational behaviour.