madcap

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

1580s, mad +‎ cap,[1] with cap figuratively used for "head" here. Original literal sense "lunatic, crazy person", now used figuratively.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ˈmædkæp/
  • (file)

Adjective[edit]

madcap (comparative more madcap, superlative most madcap)

  1. Hasty, impulsive, or reckless; capricious.
    The film featured a madcap car chase that went right through a crowded café.
    • 1820 January 1, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “Christmas Eve”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., number V, New York, N.Y.: [] C. S. Van Winkle, [], →OCLC, page 389:
      The young Oxonian, on the contrary, had led out one of his maiden aunts, on whom the rogue played a thousand little knaveries with impunity; he was full of practical jokes, and his delight was to tease his aunts and cousins; yet, like all mad-cap youngsters, he was a universal favourite among the women.
    • 2020 March 25, Steve Roberts, “Parly-vous?”, in Rail, page 68:
      My madcap plan was to catch that 0456, then hang about – probably for the 0624.

Usage notes[edit]

Especially used for adventurous activities.

Noun[edit]

madcap (plural madcaps)

  1. An impulsive, hasty, capricious person.
  2. (obsolete) An insane person, a lunatic.

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “madcap”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.