Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Crazy, foolish, senseless: Used to describe a person, idea, or action that is wildly irrational, nonsensical, or foolish. It implies a lack of good sense or judgment.

2. Noun:

   • A crazy fool, a senseless person: Refers to a person who acts in a wildly irrational or foolish manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • That's a completely meshuggener idea; it will never work.
  • Don't listen to him, he's meshuggener!

• Noun:

  • Don't be such a meshuggener and wear a coat in this snow.
  • He drove the wrong way down a one-way street—what a meshuggener!

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used with affectionate exasperation rather than harsh criticism, especially within families or close communities. The tone depends heavily on context.
  • Oh, my meshuggener uncle tried to fix the TV with a hammer. (Here, it conveys a sense of foolishness mixed with fondness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Meshugge (adjective): The more common adjectival form meaning "crazy."
  • This weather is meshugge; it was sunny ten minutes ago.
• Meshugas (noun): Nonsense, craziness.
  • I don't have time for this meshugas.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Crazy, insane, foolish, daft, bonkers, nuts.
• Noun: Fool, lunatic, madman, nutcase.

Notes on Meaning

• Cultural Origin: This word is borrowed from Yiddish (from ), which itself comes from Hebrew. Its use in English often carries a cultural flavor associated with Ashkenazi Jewish communities.
• Register: It is informal and colloquial. It is not typically used in formal writing.

Adjective

1. senseless; crazy

Noun

1. (Yiddish) a crazy fool