madcap

adjective

mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap 

: marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness

madcap noun

Synonyms

• reckless
• daredevil
• courageous
• adventurous
• brave
• audacious
• foolhardy
• heroic
• daring

Examples of madcap in a Sentence

a madcap scheme to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel

Recent Examples on the Web

The Greek auteur has worked with better scripts in the past, but in terms of its commanding performances, design, sharply precise cinematography, gleefully cruel humor, and bizarro ending, this madcap thriller can’t help but hit the spot for existing devotees. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025

That is just one of the absurdist strands in the latest film from Anders Thomas Jensen, known for dark comedies including the revenge story Riders of Justice (2020) and the more madcap Men & Chicken (2015). —Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025

Mom’s hoarding and Dad’s madcap inventions? —Amanda Uhle august 27, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2025

The movie is less a screwball comedy than a screwball contraption—a madcap farce that the screenwriters have reduced to a math problem. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for madcap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• mayhap

Kids Definition

madcap

adjective

mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap 

: reckless, wild

madcap noun