gaga

American  

[gah-gah] / ˈgɑˌgɑ /

Or ga-ga

adjective

Informal.

1. excessively and foolishly enthusiastic.

   The public went gaga over the new fashions.

2. ardently fond; infatuated.

   He's gaga over the new girl in class.

3. demented; crazy; dotty.

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gaga British  

/ ˈɡɑːɡɑː /

adjective

1. senile; doting

2. slightly crazy

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Etymology

Origin of gaga

1915–20; < French; imitative

Explanation

When you're gaga about something, you feel extremely enthusiastic about it. If your sister is gaga for peanut butter while you can't stand it, you should go through your Halloween candy and give her all your peanut butter cups. Use the informal gaga for anything you're absolutely wild about, whether you're gaga for kittens or gaga for the beach. It's also used in a somewhat derogatory way to mean "eccentric" or "batty." That quirky old man next door may seem gaga, but once you get to know him you'll realize you've got a lot in common — you're both gaga for chocolate!

Example Sentences

Tech companies are gaga for the idea of “forward deployed engineers,” who they say play a critical role in ensuring customers can actually use their sometimes complex AI offerings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Last February, TJ’s consumers and enthusiasts alike went gaga after the California-based retailer first dropped its 11-by-13-inch canvas totes.

From Salon • May 11, 2025

Since the video was posted, the internet has gone gaga for the animal, which Santore nicknamed “Chonkosaurus” due to its size.

From National Geographic • May 16, 2023

Running, rock climbing, baseball and gaga ball were among other favorites.

From Washington Post • Jan. 15, 2023

I still couldn’t help going gaga over how beautiful she was, but I was almost mad at her, because she wasn’t noticing me for the right reasons.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

Related Words

• batty
• distraught