lunatic
/'lu:nətik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Insane, mentally deranged: Describes a person who is suffering from severe mental illness, historically believed to be influenced by the moon's phases.
- Wildly foolish, senseless: Describes an idea, action, or behavior that is extremely reckless, irrational, or foolish.
Noun:
- An insane person: A person who is severely mentally ill (this term is now considered offensive and outdated in medical and polite contexts).
- A wildly foolish or reckless person: A person who acts with extreme impetuosity, lack of judgment, or irresponsibility.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The general was criticized for his lunatic plan to invade without any supplies. (Describes a wildly foolish plan.)
- In the past, people with epilepsy were sometimes thought to be lunatic. (Describes a person believed to be insane, using an outdated concept.)
Noun:
- The old asylum was said to house lunatics. (Refers to people considered insane; note the outdated and offensive nature of this usage.)
- He drove like a lunatic, weaving through traffic at high speed. (Refers to a recklessly irresponsible person.)
Advanced Usage
- "lunatic fringe": A small group within a political or social movement holding extreme or fanatical views.
- The candidate's sensible policies were often overshadowed by the lunatic fringe of his supporters.
Variants and Related Words
- Lunacy (noun): The state of being a lunatic; insanity. Also used to mean extreme foolishness.
- It would be sheer lunacy to attempt that climb in a storm.
- Lunatical (adjective): An archaic variant of 'lunatic' as an adjective.
Synonyms
- Adjective (insane): Mad, deranged, psychotic (clinical).
- Adjective (foolish): Crazy, insane, daft, preposterous, idiotic.
- Noun (insane person): Madman, maniac, psychotic (clinical; note many synonyms are also offensive).
- Noun (reckless person): Maniac, hothead, daredevil.
Related Phrases
- Like a lunatic: Behaving with extreme recklessness or frenzy.
- He was shouting like a lunatic.
Important Note on Usage
The term 'lunatic' originates from the historical belief (luna = moon) that insanity was caused or worsened by the moon. In modern English, its use to describe a person with mental illness is considered highly offensive, derogatory, and outdated. It is acceptable, though strong, when used informally as a hyperbolic adjective to criticize an idea or action as extremely foolish (a lunatic scheme), or as a noun for a wildly reckless person (a speed lunatic). For clinical contexts, terms like "person with a mental illness" are appropriate.
Adjective
- insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon
Noun
- a reckless impetuous irresponsible person
- an insane person