batty
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for batty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Crazy, eccentric, or slightly mad.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use batty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a batty old man
batty idea
go batty
Etymology
From "bat" (the animal) plus "-y," popularised by the phrase "bats in one's belfry," describing bats flying erratically — first used to mean "insane" in the early 1900s.
Full origin of batty →Frequently asked questions
What does “batty” mean?
The word “batty” means crazy, eccentric, or slightly mad. In plain terms, a casual, slightly affectionate way to call someone or something crazy or odd.
How do you pronounce “batty”?
“Batty” is pronounced BA-tee (/ˈbæti/ in IPA).
How do you use “batty” in a sentence?
Here is “batty” used in a sentence: “He has some pretty batty ideas about how to run the business.”
What part of speech is “batty”?
“Batty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “batty” come from?
The word “batty” dates back to around 1900. From "bat" (the animal) plus "-y," popularised by the phrase "bats in one's belfry," describing bats flying erratically — first used to mean "insane" in the early 1900s.
