# amok

> English word · Adverb · IPA /əˈmɒk/ · frequency rank #38,278

## Definitions
1. Out of control, especially when armed and dangerous.
2. In a frenzy of violence, or on a killing spree; berserk.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Portuguese amouco, from Malay amuk (“to go on a killing spree”). The term first appeared in English around the 16th century, associated with the people of Malaysia and Java, first described in the 1516 text The Book of Duarte Barbosa, which was translated to English by Henry E. J. Stanley.

## Easily confused with
- **ao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-ao)
- **ask** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-ask)
- **Amy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amy)
- **amp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amp)
- **ark** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-ark)
- **AOL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-aol)
- **AOC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-aoc)
- **APK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-apk)
- **AMR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amr)
- **amt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amt)
- **ATO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-ato)
- **ASO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-aso)
- **aro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-aro)
- **atom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-atom)
- **atop** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-atop)
- **Amos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amos)
- **Avon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-avon)
- **anon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-anon)
- **Amor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amor)
- **amps** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amok-vs-amps)

## Common misspellings (3)
`ammok`, `amokk`, `aomk`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/amok