amuck: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, journalistic, figurative. Rare in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “amuck” mean?
To behave in a frenzied, violent, or uncontrolled manner, often causing destruction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To behave in a frenzied, violent, or uncontrolled manner, often causing destruction.
To act in a wildly chaotic, unrestrained, or reckless way, often in a figurative sense (e.g., 'run amuck' meaning to go out of control).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English strongly prefers the spelling 'amok'. 'Amuck' is an older variant now seen as chiefly American, though 'amok' is still dominant in the US as well.
Connotations
Both spellings carry the same meaning. 'Amuck' may sound slightly archaic or humorous to British ears.
Frequency
The phrase 'run amok' is low-frequency in both varieties. 'Amuck' is very low-frequency, even in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “amuck” in a Sentence
SUBJ + run/go + amuckSUBJ + run + amuck + in/through + LOCATIONVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amuck” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The protesters ran amok in the city centre.
- After the announcement, rumours began to run amok online.
American English
- The bulls ran amuck through the streets during the festival.
- His imagination ran amuck, conjuring up worst-case scenarios.
adverb
British English
- (Rare/Archaic) He rushed amok through the crowd.
American English
- (Rare/Archaic) The children ran amuck through the house.
adjective
British English
- (Rare/Archaic) He was like an amok elephant, unstoppable in his rage.
American English
- (Rare/Archaic) The amuck gunman was finally subdued.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The new software update ran amuck and corrupted the entire database.'
Academic
Rare. Used in historical/social contexts: 'The discourse on social media ran amuck with misinformation.'
Everyday
Figurative, often humorous: 'The toddlers ran amuck in the playroom while the parents were talking.'
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amuck”
- Using 'amuck' as a standalone adjective (*He was amuck).
- Confusing spelling: 'amok' vs. 'amuck'.
- Using it without 'run' or 'go' (*The amuck crowd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are variant spellings of the same word. 'Amok' (from Malay) is the original and more common global spelling. 'Amuck' is an older English phonetic spelling, now less common and considered chiefly American.
No. Its use as an attributive adjective (before a noun) is very rare and archaic. It is almost exclusively used predictively in the fixed phrases 'run amuck' or 'go amuck'.
It is more literary or journalistic. It can be used in formal writing for dramatic effect, but in casual speech, synonyms like 'go wild' or 'go crazy' are more common.
Not always. While its origin involves violent frenzy, modern usage is often figurative. It can describe anything becoming wildly out of control, like rumours, spending, or imagination.
To behave in a frenzied, violent, or uncontrolled manner, often causing destruction.
Amuck: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmʌk/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmʌk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “run amuck/amok”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A MUCK' – imagine someone running wildly and making a terrible mess (a muck) of everything.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHAOS IS A WILD, UNCONTROLLED FORCE (that runs through a space).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the CORRECT usage of 'amuck'?