zany

¹za·ny

noun \ˈzā-nē\

plural zanies

Definition of ZANY

1

: a subordinate clown or acrobat in old comedies who mimics ludicrously the tricks of the principal : merry-andrew

2

: a slavish follower : toady

3

a : one who acts the buffoon to amuse others

Examples of ZANY

1. <hired a zany to entertain the children at the birthday party>
2. <one of the challenges of hosting a radio call-in program is preventing the zanies from completely taking over the discussion>

Origin of ZANY

Italian zanni, a traditional masked clown, from Italian dialect Zanni, nickname for Italian Giovanni John

First Known Use: 1588

Related to ZANY

Synonyms: buffo, buffoon, harlequin, clown

Related Words: cutup, madcap; antic [archaic], fool, gracioso, jester, motley, scaramouch (or scaramouche); mime, mimic, mummer, pantaloon; comedian, comedienne, comic, droll, farceur, funnyman, gagger, gagman, gagster, humorist, joker, jokester, merry-andrew, second banana, stand-up, top banana, wag, wit

Near Antonyms: conformer, conformist, follower, sheep

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary

Rhymes with ZANY

Beni, brainy, grainy, rainy, veiny