loopy
Americanadjective
-
full of loops.
-
Slang.
-
eccentric; crazy; dotty.
-
befuddled or confused, especially due to intoxication.
-
-
Scot. crafty; sly.
adjective
-
full of loops; curly or twisted
-
informal slightly mad, crazy, or stupid
Etymology
Origin of loopy
Explanation
Someone who's loopy is batty or nutty — in other words, not the picture of mental health. You might get so tired after staying up late to study for a test that you start to act goofy and giggly and a little bit loopy. Even if you are completely sane, you can still act loopy when you're embarrassed or tired or just being silly. You might love the circus because of the loopy music and the painted-on, loopy smiles of the clowns. Or maybe you're a fan of loopy comedies, films that feature characters with harebrained ideas that backfire in ridiculous ways. This informal meaning dates from the early 20th century — earlier, the word meant "deceitful."
Vocabulary lists containing loopy
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.
During his intros, Ding offers a loopy little wave to the camera that looks like he’s still getting the hang of it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
In his loopy 1957 essay on hipsters, Norman Mailer talked about the “psychic havoc” of living under the threat of nuclear annihilation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026
A long, loopy pass from Finn Russell was intercepted in the Argentine 22m and the Pumas raced up the field, only held up by illegal Scotland defence that saw Blair Kinghorn carded.
From BBC • Nov. 16, 2025
Anderson last adapted Pynchon with the loopy, stoner-inflected “Inherent Vice,” but here he’s working on a grander scale.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2025
There’s a note taped to the door, written in loopy handwriting.
From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli
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.
