lunatic
0 antonyms and opposites of lunatic, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A person regarded as insane or wildly irrational (now considered old-fashioned and offensive as a clinical term).
How to use lunatic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
As a label for a person with mental illness, this word is now considered offensive and dated; it survives mainly in the looser sense of "reckless" or "absurd," as in "lunatic idea."
Etymology
From Old French lunatique, from Late Latin lunaticus ("moonstruck"), from Latin luna ("moon") — reflecting the old superstition that changes in the moon triggered fits of madness.
Full origin of lunatic →Frequently asked questions
What does “lunatic” mean?
The word “lunatic” means a person regarded as insane or wildly irrational (now considered old-fashioned and offensive as a clinical term). In plain terms, someone or something completely crazy or irrational.
How do you pronounce “lunatic”?
“Lunatic” is pronounced LOO-nuh-tihk (/ˈluːnətɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “lunatic” in a sentence?
Here is “lunatic” used in a sentence: “The old asylum was once, insensitively, referred to as a home for lunatics.”
What is another word for “lunatic”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lunatic” include crazed, insane, mad, demented, maniacal and psychotic.
What part of speech is “lunatic”?
Depending on how it is used, “lunatic” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “lunatic” come from?
The word “lunatic” comes from Late Latin. From Old French lunatique, from Late Latin lunaticus ("moonstruck"), from Latin luna ("moon") — reflecting the old superstition that changes in the moon triggered fits of madness.
Is “lunatic” a common word?
“Lunatic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lunatic” have?
“Lunatic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person regarded as insane or wildly irrational (now considered old-fashioned and offensive as a clinical term).