wacko

English

Alternative forms

• whacko

Etymology

From wack(y) +‎ -o.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈwæ.kəʊ/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈwæ.koʊ/
• Rhymes: -ækəʊ

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Adjective

wacko (comparative more wacko, superlative most wacko)

1. (informal) Amusingly eccentric or irrational.

   Synonyms: kooky, oddballish, pixilated; see also Thesaurus:eccentric

Translations

amusingly eccentric or irrational

• German: durchgeknallt (de), spinnert (de), schrill (de)
• Russian: чудной (ru) (čudnoj)

Noun

wacko (plural wackos or wackoes)

1. (informal) An amusingly eccentric or irrational person.

   Synonyms: kook, odd duck, weirdo; see also Thesaurus:strange person

   • 2020 September 15, Michael M. Grynbaum, Tiffany Hsu, quoting Rush Limbaugh, “‘Nothing to Do With Climate Change’: Conservative Media and Trump Align on Fires”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     “Environmentalist wackos” — Mr. Limbaugh’s phrase — “want man to be responsible for it because they want to control your behavior,” the conservative host said on the show.

Interjection

wacko

1. (British, dated) hurrah!

   Synonyms: get in, huzzah, woo hoo; see also Thesaurus:yay

   • 1952, Anthony Buckeridge, Jennings and Darbishire:

     "Wacko! There's a whole pile of letters for me," Jennings cried excitedly, hopping from one foot to the other.

Old High German

Etymology

Probably related to wegan (“to move, carry, bear”)

Noun

wacko ?

1. rock, boulder

Alternative forms

• waggo

Related terms

• wegan