haywire
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for haywire, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Thin, flexible wire originally used to bind bales of hay.
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 haywire
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
go haywire
things went haywire
Etymology
From logging camps around 1905, where flimsy equipment held together with hay-bale wire was called a "haywire outfit" — the phrase "go haywire" grew from that image of things falling apart or tangling unpredictably.
Full origin of haywire →Frequently asked questions
What does “haywire” mean?
The word “haywire” means thin, flexible wire originally used to bind bales of hay. In plain terms, used almost always in the phrase "go haywire," meaning something has gone chaotically wrong.
How do you pronounce “haywire”?
“Haywire” is pronounced HAY-weye-uh (/ˈheɪ.waɪɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “haywire” in a sentence?
Here is “haywire” used in a sentence: “He fixed the fence with a bit of old haywire.”
What part of speech is “haywire”?
Depending on how it is used, “haywire” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “haywire” come from?
The word “haywire” dates back to around 1905. From logging camps around 1905, where flimsy equipment held together with hay-bale wire was called a "haywire outfit" — the phrase "go haywire" grew from that image of things falling apart or tangling unpredictably.
How many meanings does “haywire” have?
“Haywire” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: thin, flexible wire originally used to bind bales of hay.
