adj
batty
BA-tee
Batty (adj) means Crazy, eccentric, or slightly mad. Example: “He has some pretty batty ideas about how to run the business.”
adj
1
Crazy, eccentric, or slightly mad.
"On Sunday’s David Frost Show, Baroness Thatcher looked quite batty to me, eyes rolling."
— Edwina Currie, Diary (1992)
"He has some pretty batty ideas about how to run the business."
"The old woman next door is a bit batty but perfectly harmless."
How to use batty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, slightly affectionate way to call someone or something crazy or odd.
Memory tip
It's informal and usually not meant as a harsh insult — more "eccentric" than "dangerous."
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a batty old man
batty idea
go batty
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Word forms
- Plural
- batties
- Comparative
- battier
- Superlative
- battiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He has some pretty _____ ideas about how to run the business.
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.
Class of 1900
batty joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for batty
See all rhymes for 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.
