bonkers
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
Where does the word bonkers come from? Bonkers is a funny-sounding word. It's a goofy, lighter, informal way to say "crazy" or "nuts”—but keep in mind that’s it not so fun to make fun of people’s mental health. Its origins are unclear, but bonkers is first recorded as British naval slang for "a bit drunk" in the 1940s—perhaps acting like someone has bonked, or hit, them on the head. The roots of these other words may get a rise—of laughter or surprise—out of you. Run on over to our roundup of them at "Weird Word Origins That Will Make Your Family Laugh."
Etymology
Origin of bonkers
1945–50; of uncertain origin; for final element, cf. -ers
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.
Monday night in the Garden is going to be bonkers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
Discarding any preconceptions about Eurovision, it is delightfully, mesmerisingly bonkers.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
It wasn’t even an official WBC game—and the scenes were bonkers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
Initial reaction around the league was that the decision was bonkers.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026
“Who else has gone bonkers? Do you know what I dreamed? Remember that hill in front of the museum?”
From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
