gonzo

[ gon-zoh ]

See synonyms for: gonzo gonzos on Thesaurus.com

adjective

(of journalism, reportage, etc.) filled with bizarre or subjective ideas, commentary, or the like.
crazy; eccentric.

noun

eccentricity, weirdness, or craziness.

Origin of gonzo

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; apparently from the phrase Gonzo journalism used by U.S. journalist Hunter S. Thompson (1939–2005); perhaps from Italian: “simpleton, one easily duped” (of uncertain origin) or from Spanish ganso “a lazy or dull person,” literally, “goose” (from Germanic; see goose)

Words Nearby gonzo

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gonzo in a sentence

In the late 1980s, PBS made for a slightly gonzo babysitter.
Laurie Anderson is why we have multimedia art. Her story comes full circle at the Hirshhorn. | Michael Andor Brodeur | October 7, 2021 | Washington Post
The season finale, which aired July 14, saw the gonzo story come to a close.
‘24: Live Another Day’ Showrunners on the Finale, the Dangers of Drones, and Jack Bauer’s Future | Marlow Stern | July 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The gonzo Option Marin Cogan, National Journal Brian Schweitzer is a one-man challenge to the scripted nature of modern politics.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, June 21, 2014 | | June 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then he put his acting career on hold for two years to make a gonzo mockumentary with his brother-in-law, Joaquin Phoenix.
Casey Affleck, Star of ‘Out of the Furnace,’ on His Hollywood Struggles | Marlow Stern | December 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
VHS and the revolutionary ability to fast forward to the scene you want to see birthed the gonzo shooting style.
Video Killed the Porn Star: The VHS and Fast Forwarding Revolution | Aurora Snow | October 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

But precious little has been said about this reckless cadre of gonzo docu-journos.
VICE Filmmaker Andy Capper on Snoop Lion Doc, Chief Keef Series, More | Marlow Stern | March 15, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for gonzo

gonzo

/ (ˈɡɒnzəʊ) /

adjectiveslang

wild or crazy
(of journalism) explicitly including the writer's feelings at the time of witnessing the events or undergoing the experiences written about

nounplural gonzos

a wild or crazy person

Origin of gonzo

C20: perhaps from Italian, literally: fool, or Spanish ganso idiot, bumpkin (literally: goose)

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

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