lunatic

American  

[loo-nuh-tik] / ˈlu nə tɪk /

noun

1. (no longer in technical use; now considered offensive) an insane person.

2. a person whose actions and manner are marked by extreme eccentricity or recklessness.

3. a person legally declared to be of unsound mind and who therefore is not held capable or responsible before the law: a former legal term.

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adjective

1. (no longer in technical use; now considered offensive) insane.

2. characteristic or suggestive of lunacy; wildly or recklessly foolish.

3. Older Use. designated for or used by the insane.

   a lunatic asylum.

4. gaily or lightheartedly mad, frivolous, eccentric, etc..

   She has a lunatic charm that is quite engaging.

lunatic British  

/ ˈluːnətɪk /

adjective

1. an archaic word for insane

2. foolish; eccentric; crazy

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noun

1. a person who is insane

Other Word Forms

• half-lunatic adjective
• lunatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of lunatic

1250–1300; Middle English lunatik, from Old French lunatique, from Late Latin lūnāticus “moonstruck.” See Luna, -tic ( def. )

Example Sentences

As I crouched behind a rippling fountain, stretching and contorting my body to attain the correct angle, I began to wonder, “Do the Lumineers think I’m some kind of a lunatic?”

From Los Angeles Times

I’m not an actor, I like working at night, and I’m not going to let you bully me into becoming a Type A lunatic.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'm not a lunatic," Bellamy said after topping Wales' Nations League group last year.

From BBC

“Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa,” Rubio told reporters last month.

From Salon

He added: “I hope at some point we run out because we have gotten rid of all of them, but we’re looking every day for these lunatics that are tearing things up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crazed
• cuckoo
• maniacal