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

Cream cheese and mozzarella pack in enough dairy richness for a satisfying cheese pull and mellow out the subtle bitterness of baby spinach and nutty tang of artichoke hearts. — Kelsey Jane Youngman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

At La Fetta’s newest location, the Sublime sandwich’s many components harmoniously dance together — particularly the hot soppressata, pesto and burrata — to make for a spicy and nutty bite of a sandwich. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Oprah Winfrey has listed its nutty chocolate chip cookies on her favorite things list, and Martha Stewart has an ongoing collaboration with the brand. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026

Consequently, their meat takes on their nutty flavor, much like the famed Spanish Iberico pork. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 28 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