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View synonyms for zany

zany

[ zey-nee ]

adjective

, za·ni·er, za·ni·est.
  1. ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish.


noun

, plural za·nies.
  1. one who plays the clown or fool in order to amuse others.
  2. a comically wild or eccentric person.

    Synonyms: lunatic, crazy, kook

  3. a secondary stock character in old comedies who mimicked his master.
  4. a professional buffoon; clown.
  5. a silly person; simpleton.
  6. a slavish attendant or follower.

zany

/ ˈzeɪnɪ /

adjective

  1. comical in an endearing way; imaginatively funny or comical, esp in behaviour
“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

noun

  1. a clown or buffoon, esp one in old comedies who imitated other performers with ludicrous effect
  2. a ludicrous or foolish person
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈzanyism, noun
  • ˈzaniness, noun
  • ˈzanily, adverb
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Other Words From

  • zani·ly adverb
  • zani·ness zany·ism noun
  • zany·ish adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of zany1

1560–70; (< Middle French ) < Italian zan ( n ) i (later zanno ) a servant character in the commedia dell’arte, perhaps originally the character's name, the Upper Italian form of Tuscan Gianni, for Giovanni John
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Word History and Origins

Origin of zany1

C16: from Italian zanni, from dialect (Venice and Lombardy) Zanni, nickname for Giovanni John; one of the traditional names for a clown
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Example Sentences

Cahoon’s approach to the role is so full of zany affectations and mannerisms that it’s hard to feel on intimate terms with Albin.

"Today’s young women know that neurotic isn’t cute. Cute isn’t cute. Neither is flustered, madcap, zany, flighty, flaky, harried or hapless - all adjectives that apply to Bridget."

From BBC

Now, Jane and John forget their platonic vow and go for it, silhouetted against a candy-colored TV cartoon blaring zanily in the background.

I can’t say this is my idea of a theatrical good time, but I appreciated the zany commitment and indefatigable exertion of a company dedicated to the worthy cause of mindless fun.

I’d also be lying if I said that was the only reason my husband and I share our lives with two of nature’s zaniest comics instead of a herd of small humans.

From Salon

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