loon

¹ American  

[loon] / lun /

noun

1. any of several large, short-tailed, web-footed, fish-eating diving birds of the genus Gavia, of the Northern Hemisphere.

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loon ² American  

[loon] / lun /

noun

1. a crazy or simple-minded person.

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loon ¹ British  

/ luːn /

noun

1. informal a simple-minded or stupid person

2. dialect a lad

3. archaic a person of low rank or occupation (esp in the phrase lord and loon )

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loon ² British  

/ luːn /

noun

1. the US and Canadian name for diver

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Etymology

Origin of loon¹

First recorded in 1625–35; perhaps alteration of loom ³

Origin of loon²

1400–50; late Middle English lowen, perhaps < Old Norse lūinn worn, tired; later influenced by loon ¹ and loony ¹

Example Sentences

As for Foster, who first snagged my attention as the pathetic loon in “Alpha Dog,” he knows how to play a hiss-worthy heel.

From Los Angeles Times

Both rescue centers are also treating other seabirds ill from domoic acid, including the western grebes, brandt’s cormorants and red-throated loons, but brown pelicans have most frequently been sick.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials didn’t pick any of the most popular designs submitted online that included options like a loon — the state bird — with lasers for eyes.

From Seattle Times

Consequently, the rise in rainfall observed in recent decades, attributed to climate change, poses challenges for adult loons in feeding their offspring and diminishes chick survival rates.

From Science Daily

The Coast Guard said three live birds — a cormorant, a loon and a grebe — were found sullied with oil and were being treated.

From Seattle Times