nutty

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

Synonyms

• insane
• silly
• stupid
• crazy
• absurd
• foolish
• mad
• idiotic
• lunatic [informal]
• irrational
• looney
• whacky
• loony
• zany
• wacky

Examples of nutty in a Sentence

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

They should be lightly browned and smell nutty. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025

The first one was on the sweeter side with notes of brown sugar and spice, while the second one had more of a fruit and nutty taste. —Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025

Every November Florence, South Carolina, gets a little nutty. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025

Sesame oil adds a wonderful nutty quality to the sauce. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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