nutty

UK: ˈnʌti | US: ˈnʌti

Definition

  1. adj. 1. containing or resembling nuts

  2. adj. 2. (informal) eccentric or crazy

  3. adj. 3. (slang) intensely enthusiastic or obsessed

Structure
nut <hard-shelled seed>y <adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "nutty" combines "nut," derived from Old English hnutu (meaning "hard-shelled fruit"), with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives indicating characteristics (e.g., "crazy," "salty"). Originally literal (e.g., "nutty flavor"), it later acquired figurative senses in the 19th century, likening eccentric behavior to the unpredictability of nuts or nut-like objects.

Examples

  1. The cake has a rich, nutty taste from the almonds.

  2. He’s a bit nutty—he wears mismatched shoes every day.

  3. She’s nutty about vintage vinyl records.

  4. The squirrels buried nutty treasures all over the yard.

  5. His nutty ideas often led to brilliant inventions.