Synonyms

barmy

American

[bahr-mee] / ˈbɑr mi /

adjective

barmier, barmiest

containing or resembling barm; frothy.
British Slang. balmy.

barmy British

/ ˈbɑːmɪ /

adjective

Also: balmy. slang eccentric or foolish

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of barmy

1525–35; barm + -y ¹; barmy def. 2 probably respelling of balmy by r-less speakers

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And the delightfully barmy Dance No More bounds along on an irresistible groove as the singer leads a chant of "respect your mother".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

In practice, it was, well, a bit barmy.

From Salon • Aug. 19, 2025

The judges were accused of being either "biased" or "barmy" in one tabloid.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2024

He said the media response, after his wife posted the escapade on social media, had been "barmy".

From BBC • Aug. 16, 2023

“No, luv. I’m serious. That girl — the barmy one . “Taylor.”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023