noun
madhouse
MAD-hows
noun
1
(dated) An institution for people with severe mental illness.
"In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the madhouse."
2
A place that is chaotic, loud, or disorganized.
"The kitchen turns into a madhouse every Friday night."
"With three toddlers running around, the house is a total madhouse."
How to Use Madhouse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToday almost always used figuratively for a chaotic, hectic place — the older sense of an asylum is considered outdated and insensitive.
When to use it
Avoid the literal "mental institution" sense in modern writing; it reads as dated and offensive. The figurative "chaotic place" sense is standard informal usage.
Common pairings
a total madhouse
turn into a madhouse
Word Forms
madhouses plural
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In Victorian novels, troubled characters were often threatened with the _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of mad and house.