adj
screwy
SKROO-ee
Screwy (adj) means Strange, ridiculous, or not making sense. Example: “That's a screwy way to run a business.”
adj
1
Strange, ridiculous, or not making sense.
"That's a screwy way to run a business."
"The plot of the movie got increasingly screwy."
2
(dated, informal) Slightly drunk.
"He got a bit screwy after two pints."
How to use screwy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWeird or nonsensical, in an informal, slightly comic way.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
screwy idea
sounds screwy
a screwy plan
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Word forms
- Comparative
- screwier, more screwy
- Superlative
- screwiest, most screwy
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That's a _____ way to run a business.
Etymology
From screw + -y. Originally (1820s) meant "tipsy," and only later, by the 1880s, came to mean "crazy" or "odd."
Class of 1820
screwy joined the language around 1820.
See the full Class of 1820 →
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for screwy
See all rhymes for screwy →Frequently asked questions
What does “screwy” mean?
The word “screwy” means strange, ridiculous, or not making sense. In plain terms, weird or nonsensical, in an informal, slightly comic way.
How do you pronounce “screwy”?
“Screwy” is pronounced SKROO-ee (/ˈskɹuː.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “screwy” in a sentence?
Here is “screwy” used in a sentence: “That's a screwy way to run a business.”
What part of speech is “screwy”?
“Screwy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “screwy” come from?
The word “screwy” dates back to around 1820. From screw + -y. Originally (1820s) meant "tipsy," and only later, by the 1880s, came to mean "crazy" or "odd.".
How many meanings does “screwy” have?
“Screwy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strange, ridiculous, or not making sense.
