spacey

or spac·y

[ spey-see ]

adjective

, Informal.

, spac·i·er, spac·i·est.

1. dazed, out of touch with reality, or easily confused; spaced-out:

   The younger character was spacey and prone to making mistakes.

2. characterized by an ethereal or dreamlike quality, or evoking a feeling reminiscent of the altered state experienced under the influence of narcotic drugs:

   He uses lots of effects that give the music an eerie, spacey feel.

Spacey

¹

/ ˈspeɪsɪ /

noun

1. SpaceyKevin1959MUSTHEATRE: actor Kevin, original name Kevin Spacey Fowler . born 1959, US actor; films include Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), The Usual Suspects (1995), American Beauty (1999), which earned him an Academy Award, The Shipping News (2001), and Beyond the Sea (2004); artistic director of Old Vic Theatre Company, London, from 2003

spacey

²

/ ˈspeɪsɪ /

adjective

1. slang.
   vague and dreamy, as if under the influence of drugs

Word History and Origins

Origin of spacey¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; space + -ey ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of spacey¹

C20: space + -ey

Example Sentences

Its spacey bass line, Afro background vocals and subtle melodic effects are complemented by Pabön’s rapping.

From Los Angeles Times

And he appeared just as often in more popular fare, playing a spacey tank commander in “Kelly’s Heroes,” a demented arsonist in “Backdraft” and an authoritarian president in the “Hunger Games” films.

From Seattle Times

Whereas he once presented himself as a vain peacock, Clay here comes off as spacey and a bit doddering, swaddled in scarves and wide sunglasses and outfits Susie Essman might wear on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

From New York Times

We live in a dreamland, so when we are seen as a little spacey, that’s entirely why.

From Los Angeles Times

That triggered a dramatic rebirth, with a run of gold and platinum albums that fused soul melodies with spacey psychedelia and the hard-edged funk of Sly Stone and James Brown.

From BBC