Berserker vs. Berserk — What's the Difference?

In the Old Norse written corpus, berserker were those who were said to have fought in a trance-like fury, a characteristic which later gave rise to the modern English word berserk (meaning "furiously violent or out of control"). Berserkers are attested to in numerous Old Norse sources.

Out of control with anger or excitement; wild or frenzied

One of a band of ancient Norse warriors legendary for their savagery and reckless frenzy in battle.

Destructively or frenetically violent

(historical) A Norse warrior who purportedly fought in a trance-like frenzy; a berserk.

Mentally or emotionally upset; deranged

(by extension)

(Informal) Unrestrained, as with enthusiasm or appetite; wild

One who fights as if frenzied, like a berserker.

One that is violent, upset, or unrestrained.

(science fiction) A type of von Neumann probe whose mission is to exterminate alien lifeforms.

A berserker.

One of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury

(historical) berserker

Furiously, injuriously, or maniacally violent or out of control.

(by extension)

Bizarre; weird.

Wildly joyous; ecstatic.

One of a class of legendary heroes, who fought frenzied by intoxicating liquors, and naked, regardless of wounds.

One who fights as if frenzied, like a Berserker.

Frenzied; crazed; usually in predicate position.

One of the ancient Norse warriors legendary for working themselves into a frenzy before a battle and fighting with reckless savagery and insane fury

In a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a demon;