noun
loon
LOON
Loon (noun) means a diving water bird known for its haunting, wailing call, found in North America and northern Europe. Example: “The eerie call of a loon echoed across the lake at dusk.”
noun
1
A diving water bird known for its haunting, wailing call, found in North America and northern Europe.
"The eerie call of a loon echoed across the lake at dusk."
2
An informal word for a foolish or crazy person.
"An electric fire came next, followed by an umbrella and then a colander. "This bowl will carry no water," he muttered. "Some loon hath pierced it with holes.""
— Richard Carpenter, Catweazle and the Magic Zodiac (1971)
"He's acting like a total loon today."
How to use loon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the diving bird with the wailing call, or an informal term for someone acting crazy.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- loons
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The eerie call of a _____ echoed across the lake at dusk.
Etymology
From Old Norse lómr, likely imitating the bird's distinctive cry.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for loon
See all rhymes for loon →Frequently asked questions
What does “loon” mean?
The word “loon” means a diving water bird known for its haunting, wailing call, found in North America and northern Europe. In plain terms, either the diving bird with the wailing call, or an informal term for someone acting crazy.
How do you pronounce “loon”?
“Loon” is pronounced LOON (/ˈluːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “loon” in a sentence?
Here is “loon” used in a sentence: “The eerie call of a loon echoed across the lake at dusk.”
What part of speech is “loon”?
“Loon” is a noun.
Where does the word “loon” come from?
The word “loon” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse lómr, likely imitating the bird's distinctive cry.
How many meanings does “loon” have?
“Loon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a diving water bird known for its haunting, wailing call, found in North America and northern Europe.
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