bananas

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bananas" is usable in written English and can be well written depending on the context.
It is often used informally to describe something that is crazy or absurd. Example: "The idea of running a marathon without any training is just bananas." Alternatives include "crazy" or "insane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually he emerged, weak from his ordeal and his diet of only two bananas per day during his captivity.

The Guardian

An end to subsidised Shakespeare and free access to The Gruffalo, and they all go bananas.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it is true that an amino acid called tryptophan (found in white meat, eggs, bananas, avocados and many other foods) is used by the brain to synthesise serotonin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the road a small group of squatters camp out and make a living selling everything from puppies to knocked-off football shirts, bananas and flowers to the passing drivers in their 4x4s.

The Guardian

The 71-year-old beat the former AC Milan player Demetrio Albertini after three rounds of voting in Rome, despite having drawn heavy criticism last month by making an allegedly racist comment about "eating bananas" during an address to a summer assembly of Italy's amateur leagues.

The Guardian - Sport

Breakfast time boosts Banana and pineapple energising fruit smoothie makes 1 large glass Magic ingredient bananas Bananas are full of slow-release sugars, so if you have one for breakfast - perhaps in this smoothie - it will sustain your energy levels throughout the rest of the morning.

The Guardian - Books

Some protesters also waved yellow bananas, a riposte to pro-Beijing counter-protesters who, from the demonstration's sidelines and in pro-mainland local media, have accused them of being "fake Chinese" fomented by "foreign forces".

The Guardian

Puree the bananas and the rest of the honey in a processor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cookeathope, via GuardianWitness Serves 6-8 125g raw virgin solid coconut oil 3-4 tbsp honey 125g desiccated coconut 2 ripe bananas 60g cocoa powder 1 ripe mango, peeled and thinly sliced 2 ripe passionfruit, pulped 1 In a small saucepan, gently melt 50g of oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What do/did you like or dislike about living here (or do you feel London has an identity in itself, separate from the rest of the UK)? PresterTom asks about... bananas: Hi Kevin, In K-PAX you take a bite out of a banana with the skin on.

The Guardian

Not least the comments made by Carlo Tavecchio, the president of the nation's football federation, during his election campaign in July last year, when he referred to a fictional player as "eating bananas" during a discussion about the influx of foreigners to the Italian leagues.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the adjective form "bananas" carefully. It is informal and might not be suitable for formal writing. Alternatives include 'crazy' or 'insane'.

Common error

Avoid using "bananas" as an adjective in formal or academic writing; instead, opt for more appropriate synonyms like "absurd" or "ludicrous".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bananas" is as a plural noun, referring to the fruit. It also functions as an informal adjective, meaning crazy or absurd. Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing both usages, confirming its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "bananas" is commonly used both as a noun referring to the fruit and, informally, as an adjective meaning "crazy". Ludwig AI confirms its usage across varied contexts, from news and lifestyle articles to travel writing. When writing, it's crucial to consider the context: the noun form is suitable for most situations, while the adjective form is best reserved for informal settings. To avoid potential confusion, especially in formal contexts, synonyms such as "absurd" or "ludicrous" can replace the adjective form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

banana fruit

More formal way to refer to bananas, emphasizing their botanical classification.

ripe bananas

Specifies the state of the bananas, implying readiness for consumption.

fresh bananas

Indicates the bananas are recently harvested and not processed.

plantains

Refers to a starchy, less sweet relative of the banana, often cooked before eating.

bunch of bananas

Refers to a cluster of bananas connected to the stem, commonly sold together.

banana crop

Refers to bananas as an agricultural product.

crazy

Common adjective used to describe something unconventional and unexpected.

madness

Alternative to the adjective form of bananas.

insanity

Alternative to the adjective form of bananas.

craze

Similar to madness/insanity, but more often related to current events or trends.

FAQs

How to use "bananas" in a sentence?

"Bananas" can be used as a noun to refer to the fruit, as in "I bought a bunch of bananas", or informally as an adjective meaning crazy, as in "That idea is bananas!".

What can I say instead of "bananas" when referring to the fruit?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "plantains", "ripe bananas", or "banana fruit".

Which is correct, "bananas" or "banana" when referring to multiple fruits?

"Bananas" is the plural form and is correct when referring to more than one banana. "Banana" is singular.

What does it mean when someone says something is "bananas"?

When someone says something is "bananas", they mean it's crazy, absurd, or unbelievable. You can use alternatives like "insane", "crazy", or "ridiculous".