Mad vs. Angry — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Mad" can mean mentally ill or very angry, while "Angry" specifically denotes feeling strong displeasure or hostility.
Difference Between Mad and Angry
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Key Differences
In the American lexicon, both "Mad" and "Angry" can signify feelings of strong displeasure or hostility. However, their nuances and usages set them apart. "Mad" is versatile; while it can denote anger, it might also imply insanity or mental instability. For instance, "He's gone mad" can be about someone's mental state rather than their mood.
"Angry," on the other hand, is more precise in its scope. When someone declares, "She is angry," there's no ambiguity; the person feels strong displeasure or hostility. This contrasts with "Mad" which has a broader range of interpretations. So while both words can convey anger, "Angry" does so exclusively.
Moreover, regional variations affect the perception of "Mad." While Americans might say, "I'm mad at you," a British person might consider "mad" to indicate insanity rather than anger. On the contrary, "Angry" retains its meaning of strong displeasure across different English dialects.
Interestingly, "Mad" also has more benign interpretations, like being enthusiastic or passionate about something, as in "mad about jazz." This further illustrates the word's adaptability. "Angry," with its narrower definition, leaves little room for such varied interpretations.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Insane or mentally ill
Feeling strong displeasure or hostility
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Emotional Connotation
Can denote anger or insanity
Exclusively denotes anger
Usage in American English
Both insanity and anger
Primarily anger
Regional Variations
Might mean insane in British English
Retains its meaning globally
Additional Meanings
Can imply enthusiasm or passion
Limited additional meanings
Compare with Definitions
Mad
Mentally ill or insane.
People thought he was mad for trying that stunt.
Angry
Feeling or showing strong displeasure.
She was angry about the decision.
Mad
Very angry or infuriated.
She was mad when she found out the truth.
Angry
Signifying a stormy or turbulent state.
The angry sea crashed against the shore.
Mad
Mentally ill; insane
He felt as if he were going mad
Angry
Marked by strong resentment.
An angry letter to the editor.
Mad
Very enthusiastic about someone or something
He's mad about football
Another myth is that Scorpios are sex-mad
Angry
Expressing severe disagreement.
An angry retort.
Mad
Very angry
Don't be mad at me
Angry
Feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, or hostility; full of anger
Why are you angry with me?
I'm angry that she didn't call me
Mad
Great; remarkable
This author has mad skills with the written word
I got mad respect for him
Angry
Feeling or showing anger; incensed or enraged
Angry at my boss.
Angry with her.
Mad
Very; extremely
He was mad cool—we immediately hit it off
Angry
Indicative of or resulting from anger
An angry silence.
Mad
Make (someone) mad
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, it would have madded me
Angry
Having a menacing aspect; threatening
Angry clouds on the horizon.
Mad
Angry; resentful
Was mad about the broken vase.
Angry
Chiefly New England & Midland US Inflamed and painful
An angry sore.
Mad
Mentally deranged
"afflicted with hypochondria, depression, and fear of going mad" (Carla Cantor).
Angry
Displaying or feeling anger.
His face became angry.
An angry mob started looting the warehouse.
Mad
Characteristic of mental derangement
Mad laughter.
Angry
(said about a wound or a rash) inflamed and painful.
The broken glass left two angry cuts across my arm.
Mad
Temporarily or apparently deranged by violent sensations, emotions, or ideas
Was mad with jealousy.
Angry
Dark and stormy, menacing.
Angry clouds raced across the sky.
Mad
Lacking restraint or reason; foolish
I was mad to have hired her in the first place.
Angry
Troublesome; vexatious; rigorous.
God had provided a severe and angry education to chastise the forwardness of a young spirit.
Mad
Feeling or showing strong liking or enthusiasm
Mad about sports.
Angry
Inflamed and painful, as a sore.
Mad
Marked by a lack of restraint, especially by extreme excitement, confusion, or agitation
A mad scramble for the bus.
Angry
Touched with anger; under the emotion of anger; feeling resentment; enraged; - followed generally by with before a person, and at before a thing.
Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves.
Wherefore should God be angry at thy voice?
Mad
Exhibiting uncharacteristic aggressiveness, especially as a result of rabies, spongiform encephalopathy, or another neurological disease. Used of animals
A mad dog.
A mad cow.
Angry
Showing anger; proceeding from anger; acting as if moved by anger; wearing the marks of anger; as, angry words or tones; an angry sky; angry waves.
Mad
Excellent; wonderful
It's really mad that they can come.
Angry
Red.
Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave.
Mad
Abundant; great
Mad respect.
Angry
Sharp; keen; stimulated.
I never ate with angrier appetite.
Mad
To make or become mad; madden.
Angry
Feeling or showing anger;
Angry at the weather
Angry customers
An angry silence
Sending angry letters to the papers
Mad
Extremely; very
This place is mad cool.
Angry
(of the elements) as if showing violent anger;
Angry clouds on the horizon
Furious winds
The raging sea
Mad
Insane; crazy, mentally deranged.
You want to spend $1000 on a pair of shoes? Are you mad?
He's got this mad idea that he's irresistible to women.
Angry
Severely inflamed and painful;
An angry sore
Mad
Angry, annoyed.
Are you mad at me?
Angry
Feeling hostility towards someone.
He was angry with his friend for lying.
Mad
Bizarre; incredible.
It's mad that I got that job back a day after being fired.
Mad
Wildly confused or excited.
To be mad with terror, lust, or hatred
Mad
Extremely foolish or unwise; irrational; imprudent.
Mad
Extremely enthusiastic about; crazy about; infatuated with; overcome with desire for.
Aren't you just mad for that red dress?
Mad
(of animals) Abnormally ferocious or furious; or, rabid, affected with rabies.
A mad dog
Mad
Intensifier, signifying abundance or high quality of a thing; very, much or many.
I gotta give you mad props for scoring us those tickets.
Their lead guitarist has mad skills.
There are always mad girls at those parties.
Their lead guitarist has mad skills.
There are always mad girls at those parties.
Mad
(of a compass needle) Having impaired polarity.
Mad
Intensifier; to a large degree; extremely; exceedingly; very; unbelievably.
He was driving mad slow.
It's mad hot today.
He seems mad keen on her.
Mad
To be or become mad.
Mad
To madden, to anger, to frustrate.
Mad
Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane.
I have heard my grandsire say full oft,Extremity of griefs would make men mad.
Mad
Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason; inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or hatred; mad against political reform.
It is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.
And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Mad
Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme rashness.
Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years of peace.
The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled.
Mad
Extravagant; immoderate.
Mad
Furious with rage, terror, or disease; - said of the lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia; rabid; as, a mad dog.
Mad
Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person.
Mad
Having impaired polarity; - applied to a compass needle.
Mad
To make mad or furious; to madden.
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight,It would have madded me.
Mad
To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See Madding.
Festus said with great voice, Paul thou maddest.
Mad
An earthworm.
Mad
Roused to anger;
Stayed huffy a good while
She gets mad when you wake her up so early
Mad at his friend
Sore over a remark
Mad
Affected with madness or insanity;
A man who had gone mad
Mad
Marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion;
A crowd of delirious baseball fans
Something frantic in their gaiety
A mad whirl of pleasure
Mad
Very foolish;
Harebrained ideas
Took insane risks behind the wheel
A completely mad scheme to build a bridge between two mountains
Mad
Carried away by enthusiasm or desire.
He's mad about classic cars.
Mad
Indicating reckless behavior.
It's mad to drive without a seatbelt.
Mad
Temporarily provoked or annoyed.
Don't get mad over small things.
Common Curiosities
Can "Mad" also imply passion?
Yes, "Mad" can denote enthusiasm or passion about something.
Is "Angry" exclusively about strong displeasure?
Yes, "Angry" primarily denotes feelings of strong displeasure or hostility.
Are "Mad" and "Angry" synonyms?
In American English, "Mad" can mean "Angry," but it also has other definitions.
Can "Mad" mean mentally unstable?
Yes, "Mad" can denote insanity or mental instability.
Does "Angry" have meanings other than displeasure?
It can also signify a stormy state, like an "angry sea," but its primary meaning is displeasure.
Is "Angry" more formal than "Mad"?
Both can be used in various contexts, but "Angry" is more direct in meaning.
Can "Angry" be used to describe objects?
Yes, like in "angry clouds" or "angry waves."
Does "Mad" mean insane in British English?
Often, "Mad" in British English implies insanity rather than anger.
Is "Mad" colloquial in American English?
It's widely accepted, but some might consider it more informal than "Angry."
Is "Angry" the same as "Irritated"?
They're similar, but "Angry" often denotes a stronger emotion than "Irritated."
Is "Mad" more ambiguous than "Angry"?
Yes, because "Mad" can mean angry, insane, or passionate.
Can "Angry" denote a lasting state?
It typically denotes a temporary emotion, but one can be "angry" over prolonged periods.
How can I decide which word to use?
Consider the context and the specific emotion or state you want to convey.
Can "Mad" mean enthusiastic?
Yes, as in "mad about soccer."
Can animals be described as "Mad"?
Yes, like in "mad dog," which can imply aggression or rabies.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
