MADLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does madly mean? 

• MADLY (adverb)
  The adverb MADLY has 3 senses:

1. in an uncontrolled manner

2. in an insane manner

3. (used as intensives) extremely

  Familiarity information: MADLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MADLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In an uncontrolled manner

Synonyms:

frantically; madly

Context example:

she fought back madly

Pertainym:

mad (marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In an insane manner

Synonyms:

crazily; dementedly; insanely; madly

Context example:

screaming dementedly

Pertainym:

mad (affected with madness or insanity)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(used as intensives) extremely

Synonyms:

deadly; deucedly; devilishly; insanely; madly

Context example:

insanely jealous

Domain usage:

intensifier; intensive (a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies)

 Context examples 

As he thundered forth his war-cry, the Jacks who had been gathering before the black arch of the gateway rushed in madly in a desperate effort to carry the staircase.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Jip barked madly all the time.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mugridge had heard the Kanaka’s warning cry and was screaming madly.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A panic seized him, and he ran madly toward the village.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He caught it up, devoured it with his eyes, and then danced madly about the room, pressing it to his bosom and shrieking out in his delight.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We shot over the brow and flew madly down the hill with the great red coach roaring and thundering before us.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

With Venus so supportive, the new items for your wardrobe that you find are likely to be madly flattering on you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

She made it easy for him; and the gracious spirit with which she did it made him love her more madly than ever.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Hans hurled himself upon the prostrate man, striking madly with his fists.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

They yelped and howled under the rain of blows, but struggled none the less madly till the last crumb had been devoured.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)