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

Its rind is nutty, rich, and deeply savory—the most flavorful of the group. —Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026

There’s a smoky mackerel with plantain purée that nods to roadside barbecues in Freetown, while griddled spatchcock poussin with palm butter sauce is rich, nutty, and fast becoming a signature. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

They are sweetened with coconut sugar, but the slightly bitter nutty flavor of almonds dominates. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

Cook the earthy grains and nutty lentils. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 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