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berserk

noun
ber·​serk | \ bÉ™r-ˈsÉ™rk How to pronounce berserk (audio) , bÉ™-, ËŒbÉ™r-, -ˈzÉ™rk; ˈbÉ™r-ËŒsÉ™rk How to pronounce berserk (audio) , -ËŒzÉ™rk\
variants: or berserker \ bÉ™r-​ˈsÉ™r-​kÉ™r How to pronounce berserker (audio) , bÉ™-​ , ËŒbÉ™r-​ , -​ˈzÉ™r-​ ; ˈbÉ™r-​ËŒsÉ™r-​ , -​ËŒzÉ™r-​ \

Definition of berserk

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable
2 : one whose actions are recklessly defiant

berserk

adjective

Definition of berserk (Entry 2 of 2)

: frenzied, crazed —usually used in the phrase go berserk sinister ravings of an imagination gone berserk— John Gruen
Other Words from berserk Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about berserk

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Other Words from berserk

Adjective

berserk adverb
berserkly adverb

Did You Know?

Adjective

Berserk comes from Old Norse berserkr, which combines ber- ("bear") and serkr ("shirt"). According to Norse legend, berserkrs were warriors who wore bearskin coverings and worked themselves into such frenzies during combat that they became immune to the effects of steel and fire. Berserk was borrowed into English (first as a noun and later as an adjective) in the early 19th century, when interest in Scandinavian myth and history was high. It was considered a slang term at first, but it has since gained broader acceptance.

Examples of berserk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 By his own admission, instigator Rijkaard had gone 'berserk' and later apologised. — SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 7 Weeks to Go - West Germany Win Italia '90 Against a Backdrop of Reunification," 6 May 2018 Enter McGregor’s persnickety great-nephew and heir, Thomas (Domhnall Gleeson in a rather too-sour turn), who has gone a mite berserk after being passed over for a promotion at the Harrods department store in London. — Jane Horwitz, kansascity, "‘Peter Rabbit’ hops over the edge in this modern makeover," 8 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 While stopped at the light, two cars pulled up and boxed her in, and a berserk man exited one of the cars, yelling at her. — cleveland.com, "Man punches woman in face after road rage incident: Fairview Park Police Blotter," 17 July 2019 Straight up, the flesh-and-bones missile writhes and contorts – a berserk mosh pit of one – before crashing back to its wet hunting grounds. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Toothy air show wows as local guide fly-fishes for mako sharks," 12 July 2019 Paid Off is mordantly humorous television entertainment that serves as a queasy reminder that America’s leaders have saddled the younger generation with the weight of education debt combined with curiously slow-growing wages and berserk politics. — Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, "Win a Game Show, Pay Off Your Student Debt," 12 July 2018 Long scored 64 points, and Union-Whitten won 113-107 in overtime before 15,000 berserk fans. — Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Warriors once drafted a woman to play in the NBA: Here’s her story," 9 Mar. 2018 Straight up, the flesh-and-bones missile writhes and contorts – a berserk mosh pit of one – before crashing back to its wet hunting grounds. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Toothy air show wows as local guide fly-fishes for mako sharks," 12 July 2019 While stopped at the light, two cars pulled up and boxed her in, and a berserk man exited one of the cars, yelling at her. — cleveland.com, "Man punches woman in face after road rage incident: Fairview Park Police Blotter," 17 July 2019 Paid Off is mordantly humorous television entertainment that serves as a queasy reminder that America’s leaders have saddled the younger generation with the weight of education debt combined with curiously slow-growing wages and berserk politics. — Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, "Win a Game Show, Pay Off Your Student Debt," 12 July 2018 Long scored 64 points, and Union-Whitten won 113-107 in overtime before 15,000 berserk fans. — Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Warriors once drafted a woman to play in the NBA: Here’s her story," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'berserk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of berserk

Noun

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for berserk

Noun and Adjective

Old Norse berserkr, probably from ber- bear + serkr shirt

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More Definitions for berserk

berserk

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of berserk

: crazy and violent especially because of anger

See the full definition for berserk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

berserk

adjective
ber·​serk | \ bÉ™r-ˈsÉ™rk How to pronounce berserk (audio) , -ˈzÉ™rk\

Kids Definition of berserk

: out of control especially due to extreme anger or excitement

berserk

adjective
ber·​serk | \ bÉ™(r)-ˈsÉ™rk How to pronounce berserk (audio) , ËŒbÉ™r- How to pronounce berserk (audio) , -ˈzÉ™rk, ˈbÉ™r-ËŒ\

Medical Definition of berserk

: marked by crazed or frenzied behavior suggestive of sudden mental imbalance —usually used in the phrase go berserk

Other Words from berserk

berserk adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on berserk

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with berserk

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for berserk

Spanish Central: Translation of berserk

Nglish: Translation of berserk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about berserk

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