adj
barmy
BAH-mee
Barmy (adj) means Crazy, foolish, or eccentric. Example: “It's a barmy idea to go hiking in this weather.”
adj
1
Crazy, foolish, or eccentric.
"He opted for a quieter bar to “watch it and enjoy the atmosphere” and engage in “sensible drinking, not going barmy”."
— Rachel Hall, ‘I’ve never seen owt like it’: England fans in Benidorm in high spirits before Euro final (2024)
"It's a barmy idea to go hiking in this weather."
"He's gone completely barmy over that new car."
How to use barmy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlightly crazy or foolish, usually in a harmless, amusing way.
When to use it
Chiefly British and informal.
UK vs US
Common in British English; Americans would more likely say "nuts" or "crazy."
Common pairings
barmy idea
go barmy
barmy army
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Word forms
- Comparative
- barmier
- Superlative
- barmiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It's a _____ idea to go hiking in this weather.
Etymology
Originally described something full of "barm," the foam that forms on fermenting beer — the sense shifted from "frothy, bubbling" to "excitable" and eventually to "crazy."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for barmy
See all rhymes for barmy →Frequently asked questions
What does “barmy” mean?
The word “barmy” means crazy, foolish, or eccentric. In plain terms, slightly crazy or foolish, usually in a harmless, amusing way.
How do you pronounce “barmy”?
“Barmy” is pronounced BAH-mee (/ˈbɑɹmi/ in IPA).
How do you use “barmy” in a sentence?
Here is “barmy” used in a sentence: “It's a barmy idea to go hiking in this weather.”
What part of speech is “barmy”?
“Barmy” is an adjective.
