WordGarden.ionutty
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈʌti/
US
- /ˈnəti/
Meanings
Adjective
having the taste, smell, or character of nuts
(informal)eccentric, silly, or slightly crazy
very fond of or enthusiastic about something
Beyond the definition
While it often describes a food flavor that tastes like nuts, "nutty" is also a playful way to describe someone who is a little bit crazy, eccentric, or acts in an unusual way. Think of a quirky aunt who collects garden gnomes and insists on wearing mismatched socks; she might be described as "a bit nutty."
The term usually suggests harmless oddness rather than serious mental illness. You might say a plan is "nutty" if it's wildly impractical, or that someone has a "nutty sense of humor" if they tell very strange jokes. It's often used affectionately, but it can also be mildly critical depending on the context and tone. A character in a story might be delightfully nutty, adding comic relief to an otherwise serious plot.
The word "nutty" is a versatile adjective used to describe someone or something that is eccentric, unconventional, or slightly crazy, as well as foods that have the flavor or aroma of nuts. In its informal, figurative sense, it usually implies harmless silliness or quirkiness rather than anything serious. While it can sometimes be used negatively to dismiss an outlandish idea, it is more often used affectionately or playfully.
Think of a professor who rambles enthusiastically about obscure historical facts, or an artist whose work is so wildly imaginative that it defies categorization. These individuals might be described as "nutty," meaning they are delightfully unconventional. You could also use "nutty" to describe a situation: "That idea is completely nutty!" implying it's impractical or far-fetched.
The slang sense likely grew from older links between "nuts" and the human head, which led to expressions for someone acting strangely. In the culinary world, it remains a useful term for the rich, toasted notes found in foods such as browned butter, sesame oil, or some cheeses. Today, when it is applied to people, it is often lighthearted and describes someone as amusingly odd rather than truly unstable. So, if you meet someone who marches to the beat of their own drum and happily embraces life's oddities, they might just be described as delightfully nutty.
Examples
- 1
Flavor
The cake has a rich, nutty flavor from the toasted almonds.
- 2
Cooking aroma
Brown butter smells sweet and nutty when it is ready.
- 3
Unusual idea
That plan sounds a little nutty, but it might work.
- 4
Personality
Her uncle is funny, kind, and a bit nutty.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Restless children
The kids were getting nutty after three hours in the car.
- Phrasegetting nutty
becoming silly or hard to control
- 6
Stress
All those last-minute changes are driving me nutty.
- Phrasedrive someone nutty
make someone very annoyed or stressed
- 7
Enthusiasm
My brother is nutty about old horror movies.
- Patternnutty about + interest
very interested in or enthusiastic about it
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- nuttyadjective