berserk

[ ber-surk, -zurk ]

adjective

1. violently or destructively frenzied; wild; crazed; deranged:

   He suddenly went berserk.

   Synonyms: lunatic, demented, rabid, maniacal, mad, violent

   Antonyms: calm, rational

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) Scandinavian Legend. Also berserker. an ancient Norse warrior who fought with frenzied rage in battle, possibly induced by eating hallucinogenic mushrooms.

berserk

/ bəˈzɜːk; -ˈsɜːk /

adjective

1. frenziedly violent or destructive (esp in the phrase go berserk )

noun

1. Also calledberserker a member of a class of ancient Norse warriors who worked themselves into a frenzy before battle and fought with insane fury and courage

Other Words From

• ber·serk·ly adverb
• ber·serk·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of berserk¹

1865–70; < Old Norse berserkr, equivalent to ber- (either *ber-, base of bjǫrn bear ² or berr bare ¹ ) + serkr sark, shirt, armor

Word History and Origins

Origin of berserk¹

C19: Icelandic berserkr , from björn bear + serkr shirt

Example Sentences

Then the music went berserk, and Sanchez and his bandmates were screaming, “I gotta kill my lawn, gotta kill my lawn ...” Everyone in the room joined in, jumping and screeching with the chorus: “Kill your lawn!”

From Los Angeles Times

Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, said a few days ago he wanted Israel to "go berserk" in response to Iran's attack.

From BBC

One said the Israelis needed to "go berserk".

From BBC

One of them said Israel should "go berserk".

From BBC

Exalted with mummification in ancient Egypt, she’s the Rikki-Tikki Riot Grrl of the east African plains, the erotically berserk mob tactician that turns cobras into ballpark brats on the daily.

From Salon