Meaning & Definition of word "Lunatic"
Lunatic
/ˈluː.nə.tɪk/
noun:
- 1. A person who is considered to be insane or mad.
- Example: The authorities believed that the lunatic posed a danger to himself and others.
- 2. A person who is wildly eccentric or has irrational behavior.
- Example: His friends jokingly called him a lunatic for his outlandish ideas.
adjective:
- 1. Relating to or characterized by lunacy; insane.
- Example: Her lunatic plans to travel the world without any money left everyone baffled.
Etymology
●The word lunatic comes from the Latin 'lunaticus', which means 'moonstruck', from 'luna', meaning 'moon'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
lunatic asylum:
A hospital for individuals with mental illness.
lunatic fringe:
A group of people who hold extreme views and are regarded as social misfits.
drive someone to lunacy:
To make someone extremely agitated or irrational.
Related Words
insanity:
A condition of being seriously mentally ill; a state of mind which prevents normal perception.
madness:
The state of being mad; extreme folly or unreasonableness.
crazy:
Mentally deranged; extremely enthusiastic or wildly out of control.
Slang Meanings of lunatic
Meaning: Loony
● Example Sentence: He's acting a little loony today, must have had too much caffeine.
Meaning: Nutcase
● Example Sentence: Don't mind him, he's just an old nutcase.
Meaning: Fruitcake
● Example Sentence: She's a complete fruitcake if she believes those conspiracy theories.