berserk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal; occasionally found in formal writing for dramatic effect.
Quick answer
What does “berserk” mean?
In a state of wild, frenzied, or violent rage, completely out of control.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In a state of wild, frenzied, or violent rage, completely out of control.
Can describe anything operating or behaving in a chaotic, unrestrained, or excessively energetic manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slight variation in prepositional use (e.g., 'go berserk' vs. 'run berserk') is stylistic, not regional.
Connotations
Identical. Both imply uncontrolled, often destructive fury.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “berserk” in a Sentence
Subject + go/run/turn + berserkSubject + be + berserkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “berserk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To berserk is not a standard verb in British English.
- He started berserking through the house, a usage considered non-standard.
American English
- To berserk is not a standard verb in American English.
- The player berserked his way down the field, a creative but non-standard usage.
adverb
British English
- He started smashing things berserkly. (Rare, often 'in a berserk fashion')
American English
- The machine started running berserk, spraying oil everywhere. (Functionally adverbial use of the adjective)
adjective
British English
- The crowd went completely berserk after the goal.
- He was absolutely berserk with jealousy.
American English
- The protestors ran berserk through the streets.
- She was berserk with grief after the news.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used metaphorically: 'The markets went berserk after the announcement.'
Academic
Rare, used in historical/psychological contexts: 'The phenomenon of the berserker warrior.'
Everyday
Common for describing extreme,失控 reactions: 'My dad went berserk when he saw the dent in the car.'
Technical
Virtually never used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “berserk”
- Using it as a standard attributive adjective (*'a berserk man' is unnatural; prefer 'a man who went berserk').
- Confusing it with 'furious' – 'berserk' is more extreme and implies visible, chaotic action.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, etymologically. It comes from Old Norse 'berserkr', likely meaning 'bear-shirt' (warrior wearing a bear skin).
It's possible but risky. 'Berserk' strongly connotes loss of control and chaos, which usually has negative associations (e.g., 'The crowd went berserk with joy' implies chaotic, possibly destructive celebration). 'Ecstatic' or 'overjoyed' is safer for positive contexts.
They are very close synonyms. 'Berserk' has Norse origins and often implies a fighting,狂暴 frenzy. 'Amok' (from Malay) can imply a homicidal frenzy. In modern use, they are largely interchangeable in phrases like 'run amok/berserk'.
Historically, yes ('a berserk' was a Norse warrior). In modern English, it is almost exclusively an adjective or adverb. The noun form is archaic and not used in everyday language.
In a state of wild, frenzied, or violent rage, completely out of control.
Berserk is usually informal; occasionally found in formal writing for dramatic effect. in register.
Berserk: in British English it is pronounced /bəˈsɜːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /bərˈsɜːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go berserk”
- “run berserk”
- “like a berserker”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bear ("ber") searching ("serk") for food in a wild, destructive frenzy.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS A WILD ANIMAL / LOSS OF CONTROL IS MADNESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'berserk' used MOST appropriately?