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

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈzanyism, noun
• ˈzaniness, noun
• ˈzanily, adverb

Other Words From

• zani·ly adverb
• zani·ness zany·ism noun
• zany·ish adjective

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

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

Example Sentences

"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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Where did I just see that actress play a different zany lady?

From New York Times

Related Words

• campy
• comical
• eccentric
• goofy
• kooky
• loony
• madcap
• wacky