Synonyms

screwy

American

[skroo-ee] / ˈskru i /

adjective

Slang.

screwier, screwiest

crazy; nutty.

I think you're screwy, refusing an invitation to the governor's dinner.
disconcertingly strange.

There's something screwy about his story.
absurdly peculiar or impractical; ridiculous.

screwy ideas.

screwy British

/ ˈskruːɪ /

adjective

informal odd, crazy, or eccentric

"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

Etymology

Origin of screwy

First recorded in 1810–20; screw + -y ¹

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.

These buyouts are absurd, an outgrowth of a crazed marketplace and undeniably screwy optics at a state university.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

Although they profess to be in this screwy loyalty gauntlet for similar reasons, not everyone’s impetus is the same.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025

Finn Russell's screwy kicking performance, in which three potentially decisive conversion shots slipped by, won't escape unnoticed either.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2025

Oregon State Result: win Record: 6-3/3-3 Comment: Whether it’s a bad fourth-down spot or a busted play on special teams, something screwy in the fourth quarter will make all the difference.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2022

“Swimming in pools is screwy anyway,” he said after a long, unusual silence as we walked toward the dormitory.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023