nutty

1 of 2

adjective

nut·​ty ˈnə-tē 

nuttier; nuttiest

1

: having or producing nuts

nutty trees

2

: having a flavor like that of nuts

a nutty sauce

3

: eccentric, silly

a nutty professor

nutty ideas

also, sometimes offensive : mentally unsound

nuttily

ˈnə-tə-lē 

adverb

… the movie is so nuttily untethered to any semblance of reality that it's almost enjoyable.

—Elisabeth Vincentelli

nuttiness noun

The menu includes dishes like a rich pecan soup whose nuttiness is offset by chipotle chilies and tomatoes.

—Matt Lee et al.

It's not just Marlon Brando's nuttiness that makes this special—it's the gusto with which he wallows in his own nuttiness.

—Karen Schoemer

nuttiness

2 of 2

noun

nut·​ti·​ness

|ēnə̇s, 

|in-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being nutty

Synonyms of nutty

Adjective

• insane
• silly
• stupid
• crazy
• foolish
• absurd
• mad
• idiotic
• lunatic
• irrational
• loony
• zany
• wacky

Examples of nutty in a Sentence

Adjective

candy with a nutty taste

the only other prisoner in the dungeon was a nutty soul who feasted on bugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In this recipe, genmaicha, Japanese green tea mixed with roasted brown rice, is used to encrust salmon, imparting a nutty, floral flavor and making an exceptional and unusual dish in very little time and with very little effort. —Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026

What comes out is soft, golden, and nutty—a complete transformation from its raw state. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2026

Oats have a milder flavor and a soft, creamy texture when cooked, while quinoa has a slightly nutty flavor and a light, fluffy texture. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 June 2026

It can also be popped like popcorn for a crunchy, nutty topping. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for nutty

• cutty
• putty

Kids Definition

nutty

adjective

nut·​ty ˈnət-ē 

nuttier; nuttiest

1

: containing or suggesting nuts (as in flavor)

2

: not showing good sense

also, sometimes offensive : mentally unbalanced

nuttiness noun