madcap

adjective

mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
Synonyms of madcapnext
: marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness
madcap noun

Examples of madcap in a Sentence

a madcap scheme to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So while the club is still keeping the interview process as private and quiet as possible in this madcap hockey market, expect some significant movement — and perhaps some additional clarity on precisely who is involved in the end-game stages of the search — in the first half of this week. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 The trio then shimmied back on to stage, with Coughlan and Fallon embracing as the madcap segment came to an end, and the show cut to a sketch in which Coughlan sent up her film The Faraway Tree with an explicit rap for studio executives. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026 The manic, madcap, chaotic and silly stunt show was heavy on exposition to the delight of the fans who cheered the entrance of every One Piece character and laughed at the downfall of paper-thin goon. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026 Penn provides the wilder moments at Ridgemont High, and to his credit, never dropped the reality of his character in going for a madcap laugh. Gina Friedlande, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for madcap

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of madcap was in 1591

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Cite this Entry

“Madcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/madcap. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

madcap

adjective
mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap How to pronounce madcap (audio)
madcap noun

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