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

• silly
• stupid
• insane
• 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

Parmigiano-Reggiano tends to have a more complex, concentrated flavor, with a salty, nutty quality and the tiny crunchy crystals that develop during aging. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2026

The New Orleans Saints rallied from a 21-point deficit to force overtime in Detroit, where things got even nuttier; the Lions won, 31-30, after a Saints two-point attempt in the extra session failed. — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The first half of the game was as nutty as an NFL game can get in terms of scoring. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026

Nutty Blackberry Crisp This gluten-free crisp has a wonderfully rubbly texture from the nutty topping and seedy berries. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 10 Sep. 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