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.

How barmy is it to fly thousands of people half-way around the world to sit in giant air-conditioned tents to argue about commas, and interpretations of convoluted words?

From BBC

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

From Salon

There has been great analysis and the usual knockabout stuff that is essential to Calcutta Cup week, but the hot takes in the build-up have bordered on the barmy.

From BBC

Talk of tacking to the right is "barmy", said one MP.

From BBC

Opponents include former prime ministers Boris Johnson, who has called the plans "barmy", and Liz Truss, who is expected to warn against "banning things" in the Commons debate.

From BBC

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