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 of nutty

• silly
• stupid
• insane
• crazy
• foolish
• absurd
• mad
• idiotic
• lunatic
• irrational
• 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

The garlic added a pungent heat, and the tahina a nutty savoriness. — Cooking Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The menu features handmade pasta alongside mains like trout finished with nutty brown butter and tomato pesto. — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Lightly caramelizing the pumpkin in the pot along with tomato paste gives it a nutty, savory edge. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026

Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

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