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loon

1
[ loon ]
/ lun /
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noun
any of several large, short-tailed, web-footed, fish-eating diving birds of the genus Gavia, of the Northern Hemisphere.
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Origin of loon

1
First recorded in 1625–35; perhaps alteration of loom3

Other definitions for loon (2 of 2)

loon2
[ loon ]
/ lun /

noun
a crazy or simple-minded person.

Origin of loon

2
1400–50; late Middle English lowen, perhaps <Old Norse lĆ«inn worn, tired; later influenced by loon1 and loony1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use loon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for loon (1 of 2)

loon1
/ (luːn) /

noun
the US and Canadian name for diver (def. 3)

Word Origin for loon

C17: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse lƍmr

British Dictionary definitions for loon (2 of 2)

loon2
/ (luːn) /

noun
informal a simple-minded or stupid person
Northeast Scot dialect a lad
archaic a person of low rank or occupation (esp in the phrase lord and loon)

Word Origin for loon

C15: origin obscure
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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