batty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'batty' is a colloquial term that means "crazy, eccentric, or odd." It is considered informal and may not be suitable for formal or academic writing.
Example: My neighbor's new hobby of collecting garden gnomes is a bit batty, but it brings her joy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

K Shamsie, London To the last question first: because there is a school of thought, a limited but not without merit school, that thinks the only people who wear brightly coloured coats are batty art teachers who own several cats and have at least two dozen jars of jam in their larder with a sell-by-date of 1976.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mrs Merkel drives some people in her own centre-right camp just as batty.

The Economist

The thought of a foe that is not only religious, but animated primarily by religion drives Americans batty in way I don't think the godless commies ever managed.

The Economist

Yet even in a country as batty as North Korea, it would be odd to throw a lavish get-together of the main party hacks for no reason.

The Economist

Yet, in his time, he was probably the country's most famous astronomer, and certainly one of its most famous scientists.That is all the more remarkable because his best-known idea from his early life has turned out to be wrong, and his best-known idea from his later life is regarded by most researchers in the field as, frankly, batty.

The Economist

The reader gets little flavour of Chechnya's steamy clan politics, or the rebel leadership's often bizarre and batty notions, nor of the murky deals in which all sides are engaged.

The Economist

Even the worst on-air performances seemed to have little impact on the polls: Gerald Ford's batty claim in 1976 that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe" failed to halt a slide by Jimmy Carter (though Mr Carter still won .But as two-horse races between well-known candidates, America's presidential elections offer a poor guide to the potential influence of debates.

The Economist

The idea that the regime needs to let bombs off in order to have an excuse for a reshuffle sounds batty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A hug in the Colombian jungle Flu you can use Boom bye-bye batty-boy Reprints Related items Revolution ends, change beginsOct 26th 2000They refused.

The Economist

A hug in the Colombian jungle Flu you can use Boom bye-bye batty-boy ReprintsThen there is Plan Colombia, which is designed to eradicate cocaine production.

The Economist

A hug in the Colombian jungle Flu you can use Boom bye-bye batty-boy ReprintsAccording to temporeras, conditions have worsened this year.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing behavior, choose "batty" to imply a mix of eccentricity and mild craziness.

Common error

Avoid using "batty" in formal or clinical contexts where precise and respectful language is required. Opt for neutral terms like "unconventional" or "eccentric" instead.

Linguistic Context

Adjective. The primary grammatical function of "batty" is to describe a noun, indicating that it is crazy, eccentric, or silly. Ludwig's examples often show "batty" modifying nouns like 'ideas', 'notions', or 'performance', highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "batty" is an adjective used to describe something or someone as crazy, eccentric, or silly. Ludwig provides numerous examples, showing its usage primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. While grammatically correct, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, "batty" is considered informal and should be used cautiously in formal settings. Alternatives like "eccentric" or "unconventional" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Its frequency is classified as 'Common', and its informal nature highlights the importance of considering audience and register when employing this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loony

Similar in tone and meaning, but perhaps slightly more playful and less clinical than "batty".

nutty

Akin to "crazy" or "loony" but may carry a slightly milder connotation.

crazy

A more general term for mental imbalance or irrational behavior, similar to "batty" but without the nuanced eccentricity.

round the bend

An idiom meaning someone has become irrational or slightly mad.

wacky

Implies a more lighthearted and amusing form of strangeness, lacking the slightly negative undertones of "batty".

kooky

Like "wacky", it suggests an endearing quirkiness rather than actual madness.

dotty

Often used to describe elderly people who are slightly forgetful or eccentric.

eccentric

Indicates unconventionality and slight deviation from the norm, but not necessarily negatively as "batty" might.

off their rocker

Implies someone is behaving irrationally or has lost touch with reality.

insane

A stronger term suggesting severe mental illness, more intense than "batty".

FAQs

How can I use "batty" in a sentence?

You can use "batty" to describe someone or something that is considered crazy, eccentric, or odd. For example: "My neighbor has some "batty ideas" about gardening."

What are some alternatives to saying "batty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "eccentric", "crazy", "loony", or "wacky".

Is it correct to use "batty" in a formal setting?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "batty" in formal settings, as it's an informal term. More appropriate choices would be "unconventional" or "eccentric".

What's the difference between "batty" and "insane"?

"Batty" implies a mild form of craziness or eccentricity, while "insane" suggests a much more severe mental disorder. "Insane" is a stronger and more serious term than "batty".