nutcase

Everyday

1. (slang, unkind) A person who acts in a very silly, wild or crazy way. tree →
2. (slang, can be friendly) A fun, daft person, as in "You're a total nutcase!" among friends. tree →

In the lessons

Used in informal talk and stories; it can be a joke between friends or an insult. It is unkind and hurtful to use about people with mental illness. In stories it shows the speaker is being rude or teasing.

Examples

• "You're a nutcase!" laughed Tom as his friend jumped in the puddle. tree →
• Some nutcase drove the wrong way down the road. tree →
• My uncle is a lovable nutcase who dances everywhere. tree →
• Don't call people nutcases; it can hurt. tree →
• The dog went like a nutcase when it saw the ball. tree →
• Only a nutcase would swim in the sea in January! tree →

Note

Informal and slang; never use in school writing. Similar slang: "nutter" (UK), "nut", "loony", all unkind. Kind language: avoid using these words about people who are ill.