gooney

American  

[goo-nee] / ˈgu ni /

Or goony

adjective

goonier, gooniest

1. Slang. stupid, foolish, or awkward.

   a gooney smile on his face.

2. Informal. thuggish; brutal.

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noun

plural

goonies, gooneys

1. Slang. goon.

2. gooney bird.

Other Word Forms

• goonily adverb

Etymology

Origin of gooney

goon + -ey ¹

Example Sentences

She favors expressions like “Oh my gooney goo hoo!” and “Okie pokie dokie shmokie!”

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2013

The friendly gooney birds lay their big eggs on or near the runways, rise in clouds as if to welcome planes on landing or to see them off on takeoffs.

From Time Magazine Archive

Even then remote and selfabsorbed, Grace used to write poetry, some serious, some "little gooney ones" that showed a neat turn of phrase.

From Time Magazine Archive

I have helped some of these gooney birds to build their nests, and the aid was accepted gracefully, but the bird selects the site.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cup of tea, 7 A.M. and breakfast as usual at 10; turtle and gooney; Heavy sea on reef, and ship fast disappearing, boats out picking up driftwood.

From The Last Cruise of the Saginaw by Read, George H.