zany

zany

noun

Definition of ZANY

1

a comically dressed performer (as at a circus) who entertains with playful tricks and ridiculous behavior <hired a zany to entertain the children at the birthday party>

Synonyms buffo, buffoon, harlequin, zany

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

2

a person of odd or whimsical habits <one of the challenges of hosting a radio call-in program is preventing the zanies from completely taking over the discussion>

Synonyms character, codger, crack, crackbrain, crackpot, crank, flake, fruitcake, head case, kook, nut, nutcase, nutter [British slang], oddball, oddity, original, quiz, screwball, weirdo, zany

Related Words bohemian, maverick, nonconformist, quixote; coot, geezer; curio, rarity; freak; fantast, fantastico

Near Antonyms conformer, conformist, follower, sheep