madcap

adjective

mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap 

: marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness

madcap noun

Synonyms of madcap

• 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

This July will include an intriguing mix of madcap comedies, sweeping action epics and independent fare hoping to get as many viewers into theaters — or in front of their televisions — as possible. — David Faris, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

One of the more madcap titles on this list, A Town Called Panic, from Belgian directors Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, is wall-to-wall sight gags and surrealist moments. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026

Then out of nowhere, in the 93rd minute, Mahrez struck to put Algeria ahead and Austria out, only for a truly madcap game to deliver a further twist when Sasa Kalajdzic headed in a 96th-minute equaliser. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 June 2026

Shilling’s delightfully madcap spirit lives on at Royal Ascot today — in the more experimental hats or elaborate lawn picnics that verge on performance. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

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