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

• insane
• silly
• stupid
• 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

Salty, nutty, and dangerously easy to order twice. —Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 June 2026

Jasmine rice gets toasted until fragrant and lightly golden, then it’s cooked with coconut milk to yield a supremely nutty base for the salad. —Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

Why Gruyère Is Best For Macaroni Gruyère is a Swiss cheese known for its creamy, nutty, and earthy flavor. —Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

Additionally, roasting deepens the nutty flavor of the seeds. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 31 May 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