madcap

adjective

mad·​cap ˈmad-ˌkap 

: marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness

madcap noun

Synonyms of madcap

• devil
• cowboy
• madman
• daredevil

Examples of madcap in a Sentence

a madcap scheme to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Chicago Tribune, Loerzel wrote that the opening of the Uptown in 1925 was cause for a festival, complete with bands, trapeze artists and a madcap performer who set himself ablaze and submerged himself in water to extinguish the flames. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Tom & Jerry Created in 1940, housecat Tom and mouse Jerry soon became household fixtures thanks to their high-energy, madcap pursuits. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

From his breakout starring role in 1975’s cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Curry brought his bulbous eyes and madcap energy to every performance. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026

From 1960s Palm Beach chic to dystopian retro-futurism or a madcap style suitable only for Alan Cumming, winning costume designers at this weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys proved sartorial excellence can be achieved in unlimited forms. — Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 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