adj
madcap
MAD-kap
adj
1
Wild, impulsive, or reckless in a way that's often funny rather than dangerous.
"The film follows a madcap road trip across three countries."
"Their madcap scheme somehow actually worked."
noun
1
A reckless or impulsive person.
"That madcap tried to cross the river on a raft made of pallets."
How to Use Madcap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a scheme or person that is wildly impulsive, usually in a comic or lighthearted way.
Common pairings
madcap adventure
madcap scheme
madcap comedy
Word Forms
more madcap comparative, madcaps plural, most madcap superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “madcap”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film follows a _____ road trip across three countries.
Etymology
Literally "mad head" — from mad plus an old informal word for "head", cap.