lunacy
Lunacy (noun) means Madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon. Example: “His wild rants were dismissed as lunacy by everyone who knew him.”
How to use lunacy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMadness — either literal insanity or, more commonly today, just a wildly reckless or foolish idea.
Word forms
lunacies plural
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His wild rants were dismissed as _____ by everyone who knew him.
Etymology
From lunatic + the noun-forming suffix -cy; ultimately from Latin luna ("moon"), reflecting the old belief that madness waxed and waned with the moon.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lunacy
See all rhymes for lunacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “lunacy” mean?
The word “lunacy” means madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon. In plain terms, madness — either literal insanity or, more commonly today, just a wildly reckless or foolish idea.
How do you pronounce “lunacy”?
“Lunacy” is pronounced LOO-nuh-see (/ˈluː.nə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “lunacy” in a sentence?
Here is “lunacy” used in a sentence: “His wild rants were dismissed as lunacy by everyone who knew him.”
What is another word for “lunacy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lunacy” include insanity, madness, craziness and craze.
What part of speech is “lunacy”?
“Lunacy” is a noun.
Where does the word “lunacy” come from?
The word “lunacy” comes from Latin. From lunatic + the noun-forming suffix -cy; ultimately from Latin luna ("moon"), reflecting the old belief that madness waxed and waned with the moon.
How many meanings does “lunacy” have?
“Lunacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: madness or insanity, especially of a kind once believed to come and go with the phases of the moon.