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

• insane
• silly
• stupid
• 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 Peanut Butter cookie is similar to the chocolate chip with a golden-brown exterior, but is made with real peanut butter for a classic nutty flavor. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026

Pistachio Lemon Olive Oil Cake This olive oil cake from Valerie Confections is moist and nutty with plenty of good olive oil and pistachio flour. —Deputy Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

The vibrant tuber with a nutty or vanilla-like taste might be a hip new ingredient, but its purple reign is causing problems in the Philippines. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026

Jumbo popovers filled with nutty Gruyère cheese, that's what. —Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 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