zany, n. & adj.

zany
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zany_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2024

# zanynoun & adjective

## Earlier version

- zany, n. (a.) in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the word zany mean?

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word zany, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zany has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

theatre (late 1500s) arts (early 1600s)

### How common is the word zany?

About 0.2occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 0.014
1760 | 0.026
1770 | 0.027
1780 | 0.042
1790 | 0.046
1800 | 0.057
1810 | 0.054
1820 | 0.056
1830 | 0.046
1840 | 0.045
1850 | 0.037
1860 | 0.035
1870 | 0.035
1880 | 0.038
1890 | 0.042
1900 | 0.052
1910 | 0.06
1920 | 0.074
1930 | 0.089
1940 | 0.11
1950 | 0.13
1960 | 0.16
1970 | 0.19
1980 | 0.21
1990 | 0.22
2000 | 0.23
2010 | 0.22

### How is the word zany pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzeɪni/
ZAY-nee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzeɪni/
ZAY-nee

### Where does the word zany come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the word zany is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for zany is from 1582, in the writing of George Whetstone, writer.

zany is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Italian.

Etymons: French zani; Italian zani.

### Nearby entries

1. zamzawed, adj. 1743–
2. Zamzummim, n. 1530–
3. Zande, n. 1873–
4. zander, n. 1854–
5. zanella, n. 1876–
6. zanily, adv. 1936–
7. zaniness, n. 1933–
8. Zante, n. 1615–
9. Zantedeschia, n. 1836–
10. ZANU, n. 1963–
11. zany, n. & adj.1582–
12. zany, v. 1602–1894
13. zanyish, adj. 1843–
14. zanyism, n. 1823–
15. zanyship, n. 1766–1839
16. Zanzibari, n. & adj. 1882–
17. zap, n. 1968–
18. zap, v. 1942–
19. zap, int. 1929–
20. Zapata, n. 1962–
21. zapateado, n. 1845–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Italian.
Etymons: French zani; Italian zani.
< (i) Middle French, French zani, zanni (1558) and its etymon (ii) Italian zanni, †zani (the name of) a stock character in commedia dell'arte (16th cent.), showing a specific use of Zani, Venetian…
< (i) Middle French, French zani, zanni (1558) and its etymon (ii) Italian zanni, †zani (the name of) a stock character in commedia dell'arte (16th cent.), showing a specific use of Zani, Venetian dialect form of the personal name Giovanni (compare similarly Gianni in other varieties of Italian); this use probably reflects the frequency of Zani as the forename of men from poor rural backgrounds in north-eastern Italy in this period.

The extended uses in English, especially as an adjective, do not reflect uses found in Italian or French. The use as an adjective was probably reinforced by association with words in ‑y suffix1.

### Notes

In the following earlier example the French word is apparently intended:

1. a1566

   > I. Iebit avow mon companion. G. Ihar vow pleadge pety Zawne. I. Can you speake Frenche? here is a trimme colier by this day.

   R. Edwards, Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Fij

## Meaning & use

1. noun
   1. 1. 1.a.
         1582–
         Now frequently in form zanni. (The name of) a stock character in Italian commedia dell'arte, depicted as a male servant, valet, or porter from a poor rural background, typically characterized by cynicism, craftiness, ingenuity, and a love of mimicry and practical jokes, esp. directed at the arrogance or pretentiousness of his master. Also: an entertainer in a similar theatrical tradition who assists a mountebank (mountebank n. 1a) in his performance by attracting crowds and amusing the audience, esp. with slapstick and physical humour; cf. merry-andrew n. A.1a. Now chiefly historical.
         The traditional costume of the zanni in commedia dell'arte typically comprises baggy white clothing (originally made from sacking), a brimmed hat with long feathers, a half mask with a large nose, and often a fake beard.
         1. 1582

            > There mounted, a Mountebanke..& with him a Zanni, and other Actors of pleasure.

            G. Whetstone, Heptameron of Ciuill Discourses iii. siɡ. L.iiiv
         2. 1596

            > Here marcheth forth Scurilitie,..the first time he lookt out of Italy into England, it was in the habite of a Zani.

            T. Lodge, Wits Miserie 88
         3. 1652

            > They go..in the disguise of a Zanni or Pantaloon to ventilate their fopperies.

            T. Urquhart, Εκσκυβαλαυρον 104
         4. 1682

            > He may serve for some Zany to a Mountebank, to jest off Medicines for the Tooth-ach to the Rabble in Southwark.

            New News from Tory-Land 7
         5. 1765

            > A mountebank-doctor, and his zany.

            C. Johnstone, Chrysal vol. IV. ii. xii. 230
         6. 1810

            > There was a time, when we beheld the Quack, On public Stage, the licenc'd Tribe attack; He made his labour'd Speech with poor parade; And then a laughing Zany lent him aid.

            G. Crabbe, Borough vii. 95
         7. 1858

            > One..is dressed as a Pierrot, one of those scaramouch clowns or zanies in white..whom the Italians introduced into France.

            Daily News 28 May 2/3
         8. 1916

            > The zanni or zanies (Harlequin and Brighella) were obviously the sanniones or ancient buffoons.

            Times Literary Supplement 6 January 5/1
         9. 1990

            > Each mountebank employed a zanni, a zany clown to pull in and please the crowd by his clever improvisations.

            A. Frost, Improvisation in Drama Introduction 8
         10. 2021

             > The masked zanni and vecchi and the unmasked lovers were all considered to be masked characters.

             Renaissance & Reformation vol. 44 323
         theatre historical
         1. Robin Hood 1473–
            historical in later use. The character of Robin Hood in the morris dance or May game; the person who plays this character. Cf. Maid Marian, n.
         2. wantonness 1507–
            Wanton behaviour personified, as the name of an allegorical character in a morality play. Now historical.
         3. vice 1552–
            A character in a morality play representing one or other vice; hence, a stage jester or buffoon.
         4. zany 1582–
            Now frequently in form zanni. (The name of) a stock character in Italian commedia dell'arte, depicted as a male servant, valet, or porter from a…
         5. pantaloon 1592–
            Theatre. Usually with capital initial. Originally: (in Italian commedia dell'arte) a Venetian character representing authority and the older…
         6. iniquity 1597–
            The name of a comic character or buffoon in the old morality plays, also called the vice, n.¹, representing some particular vice, or vice in general.
         7. burratine a1637
            A puppet; ‘a sillie gull in a Comedie’ (Florio).
         8. scaramouch 1662–
            (As proper name, with capital S.) A stock character in Italian farce, a cowardly and foolish boaster of his own prowess, who is constantly being…
         9. Pierrot 1726–
            A stock character in French pantomime, usually played as a sentimental lovesick youth with a whitened face, characteristically dressed in a loose…
         10. gracioso 1749–
             Theatre. A clown, court jester, or comic servant in early modern Spanish comedy. Also in extended use with reference to other forms of drama.
         11. eiron 1872–
             A stock character in ancient Greek comedy characterized by self-depreciation, modesty of speech, and awareness of irony. Hence in extended use: a…
         12. alazon 1911–
             A stock character in ancient Greek comedy characterized by arrogance, misplaced self-confidence, and a failure to recognize irony. Hence in…
         13. toby 1946–
             (With capital initial.) The name of a stock character of U.S. comedy (see quot. 1961), used attributively, esp. in Toby show.
         14. final girl 1987–
             (In horror films, esp. slasher films) a stock female character who survives to defeat or evade the attacker after the other characters have been…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 1.b.
         1600–
         A comic performer who acts as sidekick to a jester, clown, or acrobat, esp. one who imitates the actions of the main performer in a humorously clumsy way for comedic effect. Also more generally: a person employed as a jester, comedian, or clown. Now historical.
         1. 1600

            > Hee's like a Zani to a Tumbler, That tries trickes after him to make men laugh.

            B. Jonson, Every Man out of his Humor iv. i. sig. Liiv
         2. 1783

            > A zanny being one who was antiently entertained even in courts as a jester, in order to raise mirth and laughter in the company, either by his gestures, looks, or speeches.

            G. W. Lemon, English Etymology at Zanny
         3. 1848

            > Those who had flattered him most when a king, were the loudest in their contempt, now that he was the court-zany.

            L. Hunt, Jar of Honey vi. 75
         4. 1883

            > Everybody is good to the Court-fool, the zany!

            M. B. Betham-Edwards, Disarmed vol. I. viii. 97
         5. 1916

            > It is possible for a sad and serious man to hide behind the bright paint of a circus-zany.

            Fordham Coll. Monthly June 94
         6. 1970

            > The Shrine Circus performing elephants, the Russell Troupe, masters of the slender silver strand, and of course, the hilarious group of zanies and clowns who bring laughter to everyone.

            Antioch (Illinois) News 3 May 2/2
         7. 2010

            > The curtain being parted at the opening of the ballet by the melancholy clown and the Zany, who imitated many of the acts with nimble glee.

            A. Brissenden & K. Glennon, Australian Dances 158
         arts historical
         1. juggler c1175–1591
            One who entertains or amuses people by stories, songs, buffoonery, tricks, etc.; a jester, buffoon. (Often used with implied contempt or…
         2. fool c1300–
            A jester or clown, esp. one retained in a royal court or noble household as a source of casual entertainment, traditionally dressed in a…
         3. jangler 1303–1643
            One who jangles. A chatterer, idle talker, or prater; a story-teller, a jester. Obsolete.
         4. fool sage c1330–1460
            A fool (fool, n.¹ A.I.2a) or jester.
         5. gameman 1340
            A jester, an entertainer.
         6. ribald 1340–
            A jester, player, or entertainer, esp. regarded as bawdy, vulgar, or dissolute (cf. sense A.1a). Now rare (historical in later use).
         7. ape-ward 1362–
         8. japer 1377–
            One who japes or jokes; esp. a professional jester. Obsolete since 16th cent.; revived in 19th cent.
         9. sage fool 1377–1475
            A jester or court fool.
         10. harlot c1390–1500
             A professional entertainer or performer; a jester, a fool; a comic storyteller. Obsolete.
         11. disporter?a1475
             One who makes sport or jests; a jester, juggler.
         12. jocular?a1475–1806
             A professional jester or minstrel.
         13. joculator a1500–
             A professional jester, minstrel, or jongleur.
         14. jester?1518–
             A person who entertains people with jokes, mimicry, and buffoonery; a professional joker or clown, esp. one retained in a royal court or noble…
         15. idiot 1526–1773
             A man of low intelligence maintained as a source of amusement to others; a household or court fool; a professional fool or jester. Obsolete.
         16. scoffer 1530–1623
             A jester, buffoon. Obsolete.
         17. sporter 1531–
             A person who provides, or is inclined to engage in, amusement, diversion, or pleasure; spec. (originally Scottish) †a person who entertains or amuses…
         18. dizzard c1540–1618
             = disour, n.; a jester, a ‘fool’.
         19. vice 1552–
             A character in a morality play representing one or other vice; hence, a stage jester or buffoon.
         20. antic 1564–1833
             A performer who entertains others with buffoonery; a jester, a clown. Also figurative. Obsolete.
         21. bauble-bearer 1568–1896
             A jester, a court fool (cf. bauble, n. III.7a).
         22. clown 1578–
             A person similar to a fool or jester, as a character in drama, or employed by a court or prominent household as an entertainer; spec. one with…
         23. scoggin 1579–1653
             A coarse jester, a buffoon.
         24. buffoon 1584–
             ‘A man whose profession is to make sport by low jests and antick postures’ (Johnson); a comic actor, clown; a jester, fool. archaic.
         25. pleasant 1595–1664
             A jester, a clown, a fool.
         26. baladine 1599–1676
             A theatrical dancer; a mountebank, buffoon.
         27. fiddle 1600–
             Applied to the player. transferred. One to whose music others dance; hence, a mirth-maker, jester.
         28. zany 1600–
             A comic performer who acts as sidekick to a jester, clown, or acrobat, esp. one who imitates the actions of the main performer in a humorously…
         29. mimic 1601–
             †A mime, a burlesque actor (obsolete); a person practising or skilled in mimicry, esp. one who imitates the voice, mannerisms, or movements of others…
         30. ape-carrier 1615–
         31. mime 1616–
             Classical History. A simple, usually farcical drama characterized by mimicry and the ludicrous representation of familiar types of character; the…
         32. mime-man 1631
             A mimic.
         33. court fool 1642–
             A jester or fool employed in the court of a monarch or similar ruler; cf. court jester, n.
         34. merry man 1648–
             A jester, a buffoon. Also as a proper name with Mister, Mr. Cf. merry-andrew, n. A.1a. Now rare.
         35. tomfool 1650–
             (The name of) a person who plays the part of a fool in a play or other performance; a clown, a buffoon; spec. a clown who performs with a team…
         36. pickle-herring 1656–
             A clown, a buffoon.
         37. Andrew 1670–1822
             An assistant to a mountebank (mountebank, n. 1a); a jester, a fool; = merry-andrew, n. A.1a. Obsolete.
         38. badine 1670
             A clown (used in extended use of a bird in quot.).
         39. pudding c1675–80
             A fool or clown; = jack pudding, n. Obsolete. rare.
         40. merry-andrew 1677–
             A person who entertains people with antics and buffoonery; a clown; a mountebank's assistant.
         41. mimical 1688
             An imitator; an actor. Obsolete.
         42. Tom Tram 1688–1894
             The name of a character appearing in various popular tales and ballads as the epitome of a prankster or comical rogue.
         43. Monaghan 1689–1735
             A clown, a fool.
         44. pickled herring 1711
             A herring preserved in vinegar or brine; also figurative (= pickle-herring, n. 2).
         45. ethologist 1727–1849
             A person who portrays character by gestures; a mimic. Obsolete.
         46. taker-off 1755–1883
             A person who sends up a person or thing; a mimic, a mocker. Cf. to take off 6d at take, v. phrasal verbs 6d. Obsolete.
         47. Tom 1817–
             A familiar shortening of the male forename Thomas. In traditional Yorkshire sword dancing: a clown who performs with the dancers. Cf. tomfool, n.…
         48. mimer 1819–
             A mimic, a buffoon or jester; a person who mimes.
         49. fun-maker 1835–
             A comedian, a humorist; a jester, a joker.
         50. funny man 1839–
             A male comic, comedian, or clown.
         51. mimester 1846–
             = mime, n.¹ II.3.
         52. comic 1857–
             An entertainer who tells jokes, adopts a comic persona, or acts in a manner intended to make an audience laugh; (now esp.) a performer of stand-up…
         53. comedian 1860–
             An entertainer who tells jokes, adopts a comic persona, or acts in a manner intended to make an audience laugh; (now esp.) a performer of stand-up…
         54. jokesman 1882–
             A professional joker.
         55. comique 1886–
             A comic actor or performer; a singer of comic songs.
         56. Joey 1896–
             A clown.
         57. tummler 1938–
             A person who amuses others with light-hearted jokes or clownish humour; a comic entertainer; esp. one employed at a hotel, holiday resort, etc…
         58. alternative comedian 1981–
             A person who performs alternative comedy.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. zany 1600–
            A comic performer who acts as sidekick to a jester, clown, or acrobat, esp. one who imitates the actions of the main performer in a humorously…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1. 2.a.
         1594–1911
         † An attendant, follower, or assistant to a more powerful person, esp. one regarded as servile or obsequious; a hanger-on; a toady. Usually derogatory, and often with direct reference to sense A.1a. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
         Occasionally also in figurative use.
         1. 1594

            > All being snatcht vp by the sicknesse but the good wife of the house, a noble and chast matrone called Heraclide and her Zanie, and I & my curtizan.

            T. Nashe, Vnfortunate Traveller sig K2v
         2. 1601

            > I pray thee be acquainted with my two Zanies [1616 iii. i. 60 hang-by's] heere.

            B. Jonson, Every Man in his Humor ii. iii. sig. E3
         3. 1673

            > The Directory, and the geud Covenant, (its zanee).

            E. Hickeringill, Gregory 50
         4. 1746

            > To shine confess'd her zany and her tool, And fall by what I rose, low ridicule.

            T. Smollett, Advice 181
         5. 1760

            > On the address Pitt and his zany Beckford quarreled.

            H. Walpole, Letter 24 November in Correspondence (1941) vol. IX. 325
         6. 1817

            > The Mountebanks and Zanies of Patriotism.

            S. T. Coleridge, Blessed are Ye that Sow 24
         7. 1880

            > St. John was not content to be a mere zany, he aspired to rival his master as a wit, and to outstrip him as a libertine.

            Quarterly Review January 14
         8. 1911

            > To figure as a zany of a peer.

            Athenæum 25 March 343/3
         archaic derogatory
         1. ribald c1330–
            spec. Any one of a band of undisciplined camp followers or pillagers moving with, in advance of, or behind the main body of an army, and sometimes…
         2. zany 1594–1911
            An attendant, follower, or assistant to a more powerful person, esp. one regarded as servile or obsequious; a hanger-on; a toady. Usually derogatory…
         3. myrmidon 1647–
            A member of a gang or army adhering to a particular leader; a hired ruffian or mercenary.
         4. henchman 1875–
            A devoted or zealous (male) political supporter, a partisan. Also: a person (usually a man) engaged by a politician to further his or her interests…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. client a1393–
            A person under the patronage or protection of another; a dependant; (sometimes) spec. a feudal vassal or retainer. Formerly also: †a person who…
         2. lick-dish 1440–
            disparaging or derogatory. A person who relies on or takes advantage of the hospitality or patronage of a wealthy or powerful person, esp. through…
         3. maunche present 1440–1623
            A term of contempt (applied variously) for: a slanderer; a cheat, an impostor; a glutton.
         4. lickladle 1486–1859
            A person who lives at the expense of others; a person who is obsequious or flattering.
         5. scambler?a1513–
            A parasite, sponger.
         6. smell-feast 1519–
            One who scents out where feasting is to be had; one who comes uninvited to share in a feast; a parasite, a greedy sponger. Now archaic (very common…
         7. cake fiddler a1522
            A parasite, sponger.
         8. parasite 1539–
            A person who lives at the expense of another, or of society in general; esp. (in early use) a person who obtains the hospitality or patronage of…
         9. hanger-on 1549–
            hanger-on n. A follower or dependant (familiarly and often disparagingly).
         10. parasitaster 1552–1606
             An especially wretched or pathetic parasite (parasite, n. 1a).
         11. waiter at the table 1552
             waiter at the table: a parasite. Obsolete. rare.
         12. lick-trencher 1571–
             A person who lives at the expense of others; a person who is obsequious or flattering. Also occasionally as a modifier (see quots. 1810, 1905).
         13. hang-by 1579–1855
             A contemptuous term for a dependant or hanger-on.
         14. shadow 1579–
             One that constantly accompanies or follows another like a shadow. A parasite, toady; also (= Latin umbra) a companion whom a guest brings without…
         15. trencher-fly 1590–1692
             A parasite.
         16. trencher-friend 1590–
             A parasite; a toady.
         17. fawnguest 1592–1602
             a. A fawning parasite, a sycophant, toady; also attributive. b. One who robs or swindles another under the guise of friendship.
         18. pot-hunter 1592–1630
             cant. Perhaps: a sycophant, a parasite. Cf. barnacle, n.² 3b. Also as a more general term of abuse. Obsolete.
         19. zany 1594–1911
             An attendant, follower, or assistant to a more powerful person, esp. one regarded as servile or obsequious; a hanger-on; a toady. Usually derogatory…
         20. lick-spigot 1599–
             Usually derogatory. Now historical (rare after 17th cent.). A person who draws and serves drinks for customers in a public house; a tapster or publican, esp. one who gives short measure or otherwise cheats…
         21. trencherman 1599–
             One who frequents a patron's table; a parasite, dependent, hanger-on.
         22. shark 1600–94
             A worthless and impecunious person who gains a precarious living by sponging on others, by executing disreputable commissions, cheating at play, and…
         23. tub-hunter 1600
             A parasite, a sponger.
         24. lick-box 1611–53
             Probably: a person who works in a kitchen, esp. one carrying out menial work; cf. lickpot, n. 2.
         25. by-hanger a1626
             A hanger-on, a parasite.
         26. cosherer 1634–
             One who coshers, or lives by coshering.
         27. shirk 1639–1730
             A needy, disreputable parasite; one who makes a living by sponging on others, cheating at play, swindling, or the like; a sharper. = shark, n.²
         28. panlicker 1641
             A parasite, a sycophant.
         29. lickplatter 1648–
             A person who lives at the expense of others; a person who is obsequious or flattering. See also lick-dish, n.
         30. clientelary 1655
             A dependant or client (client, n. 1a). Obsolete.
         31. tantony 1659–
             (More fully tantony pig), the smallest pig of a litter; also figurative said of one who very closely or obsequiously follows another: cf. context…
         32. led friend 1672–
             That follows slavishly or as a sycophant. led-captain, a hanger-on, dependant, parasite. So also led-†eater, †led friend, led poet.
         33. lick sauce 1677–1926
             A person who lives at the expense of others; a person who is obsequious or flattering. See also lick-dish, n.
         34. sponger 1677–
             One who lives meanly at another's expense; a parasite, a sponge.
         35. fetcher and carrier 1751
             One who or that which fetches, in various senses of the verb. Also in phrase fetcher and carrier, and in combination, as water-fetcher, etc.
         36. myrmidon 1800–
             In extended use: an opportunistic or sycophantic supporter; a hanger-on.
         37. trencher-licker 1814–
             (See trencher, n.¹ II.4b).
         38. onhanger 1821–
             A follower or dependant; a hanger-on.
         39. tag-tail 1835–
             A worm with a yellow tag or tail; also, a parasite, a hanger-on.
         40. sponge 1838–
             One who meanly lives at the expense of others; a parasite, a sponger.
         41. sucker 1856–
             One who lives at the expense of another; one who draws profit or extorts subsistence from some source; U.S. slang, a sponger, parasite.
         42. freeloader 1933–
             Originally: a person who takes full advantage of the free food or drink available at a public occasion. Later more generally: a person who partakes…
         43. bludger 1938–
             A parasite or hanger-on; a loafer. Now often in weakened sense. Australian and New Zealand.
         44. ligger 1977–
             One who gatecrashes parties, a ‘free-loader’.
         45. joyrider 1990–
             Kenyan English. A person who partakes of or benefits from something without being entitled to it or giving anything in return; a freeloader, a…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 2.b.
         1601–1730
         † An imitator; a mimic; esp. a person who imitates another person's actions in an inferior or ridiculous way. Cf. sense A.1b. Obsolete.
         1. 1601

            > The other gallant is his Zani, & doth most of these tricks after him; sweats to imitate him in euery thing (to a haire) except a Beard, which is not yet extant.

            B. Jonson, Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. D4v
         2. 1692

            > They are for persecuting Horace and Virgil, in the persons of their Successors... Some of their little Zanies yet go farther; for they are Persecutors even of Horace himself.

            J. Dryden, All for Love (new edition) Preface sig. b3v
         3. 1730

            > Their little Zanies about the Country have learnt their Cant.

            Flying Post 22 December
         1. zany 1601–1730
            An imitator; a mimic; esp. a person who imitates another person's actions in an inferior or ridiculous way. Cf. sense A.1b. Obsolete.
         2. mimic 1624–
            A person or thing that provides or constitutes a (typically) inadequate or weak representation or resemblance. Usually with of. Now rare.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. didapper 1589–
            Applied ludicrously to a person.
         2. antic 1597–1905
            A grotesque or ludicrous person. Obsolete.
         3. zany 1601–1730
            An imitator; a mimic; esp. a person who imitates another person's actions in an inferior or ridiculous way. Cf. sense A.1b. Obsolete.
         4. balatron 1623–78
            A buffoon, a contemptible fellow.
         5. figure of fun?1758–
            An individual considered ludicrous or ridiculous; a person who is an object of ridicule or derision; also in extended use.
         6. figure?1769–
            colloquial. A person regarded as noteworthy in some negative respect; one who appears ludicrous or ridiculous, esp. in terms of dress or behaviour…
         7. sketch 1917–
            A ridiculous sight, a very amusing person; so hot sketch, a comical or colourful person. slang.
         8. Herbert 1960–
            A stupid, ridiculous, or inconsequential person.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      3. 2.c.
         1606–
         A person who resembles or acts like a clown or buffoon; a person who plays the fool for the amusement of others; a joker. Now rare.
         Occasionally also in figurative use.
         1. 1606

            > Goe too you French Zanies you.

            G. Chapman, Sir Gyles Goosecappe iii. sig. D4v
         2. 1729

            > Oh great Restorer of the good old Stage, Preacher at once, and Zany of thy Age!

            A. Pope, Dunciad (new edition) iii. 202
         3. 1846

            > He [sc. Sydney Smith]..was a West-end chapel preacher,..a lecturer in Albemarle-street, and Zany to Holland-house.

            Eclectic Review June 662
         4. 1929

            > A burly wind playing the zany In fields of barleycorn.

            C. Day-Lewis, Transitional Poem i. 11
         5. 1976

            > Death of the early morning hero. Episodes of a zany in love.

            G. Langford (title)
         1. sporter 1531–
            A person who provides, or is inclined to engage in, amusement, diversion, or pleasure; spec. (originally Scottish) †a person who entertains or amuses…
         2. Owlglass c1560–
            (An Anglicization of the name of) the legendary German jester Till Eulenspiegel, the type of a roguish fool; (hence) a jester; a buffoon. Also…
         3. scogginist 1593
            A scurrilous jester.
         4. scurr 1596–1823
            A buffoon or jester.
         5. hobby-horse 1600–40
            transferred. A person who plays ridiculous antics; a frivolous or foolish fellow, jester, buffoon.
         6. zany 1606–
            A person who resembles or acts like a clown or buffoon; a person who plays the fool for the amusement of others; a joker. Now rare.
         7. buffoon a1610–
            transferred. A low jester; ‘a man that practises indecent raillery’ (Johnson); a wag, a joker (implying contempt or disapprobation).
         8. jack pudding?c1635–
            Originally: a clown or jester who entertains people with antics and buffoonery; spec. one who assists a mountebank (mountebank, n. 1a); cf. merry-a…
         9. Owl-spiegle a1637
            The name of (the type of) a jester or buffoon; = Owlglass, n.
         10. droll 1645–
             A funny or waggish fellow; a merry-andrew, buffoon, jester, humorist.
         11. buffian 1655
             = buffoon, n.
         12. drollist 1668
             A professed facetious person; a jester, buffoon.
         13. droller 1676
             A professed facetious person; a jester, buffoon.
         14. merry-andrew 1694–
             In extended use: a fool, an idiot; a joker.
         15. grotesque 1864–
             A clown, buffoon, or merry-andrew. Cf. antic, n. A.3a.
         16. harlequin 1883–
             transferred. A buffoon in general; a fantastic fellow.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      4. 2.d.
         1709–
         A person who behaves in a foolish or ridiculous manner; (now) esp. a person whose behaviour is considered to be wildly irrational, erratic, or absurd. Formerly also: †a person who is made to appear foolish; a laughing stock (obsolete).
         1. 1709

            > The dull Fraternity, thro' want of a merry Zany to exercise their Lungs with a little seasonable Laughter, and unhappily neglecting to be Shav'd and Blooded, fell into such a fit of the Melancholly Dumps, that several of the Order were in great danger of a Straw-Bed and a Dark-Room.

            E. Ward, Secret History of Clubs iii. 31
         2. a1784

            > The lady asked me for no other purpose than to make a Zany of me.

            S. Johnson in R. Cumberland, Memoirs (1806) vol. I. 263
         3. 1847

            > The printers are awful zanies, they print erasures and corrections too, and other sins they commit of the utmost inhumanity.

            H. Tennyson, Letter ?25 May (1982) vol. I. 275
         4. 1898

            > The heaven that would answer a call of that kind would be a heaven for zanies and tom-fools!

            T. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin iii. i. 131
         5. 1925

            > They were probably smoking alongside of petroleum like a bunch of zanies.

            Enid (Oklahoma) Daily Eagle 11 August 4/2
         6. 1975

            > It was no home grown effort, no bunch of zanies out to wreck the alliance, but a careful set of professionals.

            N. Carter, Executioners v. 95
         7. 2005

            > Or, maybe, find crazies and zanies saying absolutely nothing sensible to those, like me, still on the far side of paradise?

            J. O'Donnell, Walking with Arthur vii. 93
         1. dote a1275–
            A foolish, incompetent, or slow-witted person.
         2. boinard a1300–99
            A fool, simpleton; rogue, scoundrel.
         3. daff c1325–
            One deficient in sense or in proper spirit; a simpleton, a fool; a coward.
         4. goky 1377
            A fool, simpleton.
         5. innocent c1386–
            a. A guileless, simple, or unsuspecting person; one devoid of cunning or artifice. b. One wanting in ordinary knowledge or intelligence; a simpleton…
         6. nice a1393–1450
            A foolish or simple person; a fool.
         7. cocard 1393–1430
            An old fool, simpleton.
         8. unwiseman 1400–1520
            A fool or simpleton.
         9. tot c1425–1660
            A person of disordered brain, a simpleton, a fool.
         10. alphin c1440
             figurative. A foolish or contemptible person. Obsolete.
         11. daw c1500–1608
             figurative. Applied contemptuously to persons. A silly fellow, simpleton, noodle, fool. Obsolete.
         12. hoddypeak 1500–89
             A fool, simpleton, noodle, blockhead.
         13. dawpate a1529–60
             = daw, n. 2a.
         14. hoddypoll a1529–89
             A fool, simpleton; a cuckold.
         15. dotehead 1530
             A foolish or crazy person.
         16. noddy 1534–
             A fool, a simpleton. Cf. nod, n.² Now rare.
         17. kime c1535
             A fool, a simpleton.
         18. coxcomb 1542–1790
             A stupid person, a fool. Obsolete.
         19. sheep 1542–
             A person who is as stupid, timid, or poor-spirited as a sheep.
         20. sheep's head 1542–
             A fool, simpleton. †Also as adj., stupid.
         21. goose 1547–
             Hence figurative. A foolish person, a simpleton.
         22. dawcock 1556–1681
             literal a male jackdaw; in quots. figurative. Obsolete = daw, n. 2a.
         23. gony c1565–
             A booby, a simpleton.
         24. nodgecock 1566
             A fool, a simpleton.
         25. peak-goose a1568–1640
             = peagoose, n.
         26. doter 1568–
             A foolish or crazy person, a dotard; (now usually) spec. a person whose intellect is impaired due to old age.
         27. hottie tottie?c1570
             Perhaps: = hoddy-doddy, n. A.3.
         28. greenhead 1576–
             Frequently in form green head. A raw, inexperienced person; (also) a fool, a simpleton. See head, n.¹ I.ii.11. Now rare.
         29. Tom Towly 1582–1906
             In personal names used generically with the meaning ‘a stupid or foolish person, an oaf’, as Tom Cony, Tom Dingle, Tom Towly. Cf. Tom doodle, n. Obs…
         30. wittol 1588–
             transferred (? with pun on wit-all.) One who has little sense; a half-witted person; a fool; occasionally a witling.
         31. goose-cap 1589–
             A booby, noodle, numskull, simpleton, fool.
         32. ninnyhammer 1592–
             A blockhead; a fool or braggart.
         33. nodgecomb 1592–96
             A fool, a simpleton; = nodgecock, n.
         34. ninny 1593–
             A simpleton; a fool.
         35. chicken 1600–
             A stupid or foolish person; a fool. Cf. goose, n. 1f. Now rare.
         36. hoddy-noddy 1600–
             A fool, simpleton, noodle.
         37. shallow-pate 1600–
             A person of shallow intellect.
         38. hoddy-doddy 1601–56
             A cuckold; a hen-pecked man; a noodle; a simpleton. Obsolete.
         39. loach 1605–07
             figurative. A simpleton. Obsolete.
         40. simplician 1605–73
             A simple or ignorant person; a simpleton.
         41. peagoose 1606–1825
             A dolt, a fool; a simpleton.
         42. fopster 1607
             Apparently a fool, simpleton.
         43. hichcock 1607
             ‘A simpleton’ (Nares).
         44. nazold 1607–
             A silly or weak-minded person. Also: a bad-tempered person; a fretful or mischievous child. Cf. nazzard, n.
         45. nupson 1607–31
             A fool, a simpleton.
         46. smelt 1607–40
             transferred. A simpleton. Obsolete.
         47. wigeon 1607–
             A foolish or stupid person; a simpleton. archaic and rare in later use.
         48. foppasty 1611
             ? = foppotee, n.
         49. fondrel 1613
             A fool, a simpleton.
         50. wattle-head 1613
             A weak-headed person.
         51. dove a1616–
             figurative and transferred. A gentle, innocent, or loving woman or child; also †an innocent or simpleton.
         52. gosling a1616–
             figurative. A foolish, inexperienced person; one who is young and ‘green’.
         53. insensible a1618–1802
             (From A. II.) (a) A thing or person incapable of feeling; an inanimate thing; an apathetic person; (b) a person destitute of sense, a fool.
         54. funge 1621–28
             A person lacking intelligence or common sense; a fool.
         55. moonling 1631–
             A simpleton; an idiot.
         56. simplicity 1633–1860
             An ignorant or foolish person; a simpleton. Obsolete.
         57. gewgaw 1634–
             Used depreciatingly of a person.
         58. simpleton 1639–
             An unintelligent, ignorant, or gullible person; a fool.
         59. pigwidgeon 1640–
             derogatory. A small or insignificant person or thing; a stupid or contemptible person. Now rare.
         60. squab 1640
             A raw, inexperienced person. Obsolete. rare.
         61. simpletonian 1652–
             An unintelligent, foolish, or gullible person; a simpleton.
         62. ninny-whoop 1653
             = ninnyhammer, n.
         63. softhead 1654–
             colloquial. A person lacking intelligence or common sense; a foolish, silly, or stupid person. Cf. slightly earlier soft-headed, adj.
         64. Tony 1654–1784
             A foolish person; a simpleton. Obsolete slang.
         65. foppotee 1663
             A simpleton.
         66. fopdoodle 1664–1700
             A fop, fool, or simpleton.
         67. nizy 1673–
             A fool or simpleton.
         68. Simple Simon?1673–
             A stupid or intellectually unsophisticated person; a fool.
         69. Tom Farthing 1674–1707
             An impotent man; an inept or unsatisfactory lover.
         70. totty-head 1680–
             An imbecile.
         71. sumph 1682–
             A slow-witted or stupid person; a fool, simpleton. Also: a surly or sullen person.
         72. cockcomb 1684–1730
             A vain or foolish man; = coxcomb, n. 4a, 4b. Obsolete. rare.
         73. cod 1699–
             A fool. Formerly also occasionally as a more general term of abuse.
         74. nikin 1699–1743
             Obsolete. Frequently derogatory. A simpleton, a foolish person.
         75. sap-pate 1699
             = sap-head, n., sapskull, n.
         76. sawney 1699–
             colloquial. A simpleton, fool.
         77. simpkin 1699–
             A fool; a simpleton.
         78. mackninny a1706–34
             A disparaging name for: King James II (reigned 1685–8). Also in extended use.
         79. sillyton 1708–1854
             A simpleton.
         80. zany 1709–
             A person who behaves in a foolish or ridiculous manner; (now) esp. a person whose behaviour is considered to be wildly irrational, erratic, or…
         81. gilly-gaupus?1719–
             A foolish or silly person, a simpleton; a person who is lanky, awkward, or stares stupidly.
         82. noodle 1720–
             colloquial. A stupid or silly person; a fool, an idiot.
         83. sapskull 1735–
             = sap-head, n.
         84. gaby?1746–
             A stupid or foolish person; an idiot; a fool.
         85. gobbin?1746–
             An unintelligent or uneducated person; a fool, an idiot.
         86. green goose 1768–
             A simpleton; = goose, n. 1f. Now rare.
         87. Judy 1781–
             colloquial (originally Irish English). A fool, a simpleton. Also Judy Fitzsimmons. Frequently in to make a Judy (Fitzsimmons) of oneself and…
         88. nin-a-kin 1787
             Perhaps: a simpleton.
         89. spoony 1795–
             A simple, silly, or foolish person; a noodle.
         90. sap-head 1798–
             A fool, a simpleton.
         91. spoon 1799–
             slang or colloquial. A shallow, simple, or foolish person; a simpleton, ninny, goose.
         92. Jacob 1811–19
             slang. A simpleton.
         93. gomerel 1814–
             A fool, simpleton, silly fellow.
         94. sap 1815–
             A simpleton, a fool.
         95. neddy 1818–
             A stupid or silly person; a fool; an idiot.
         96. milestone 1819
             Extended uses. slang. derogatory. A rural simpleton; a country bumpkin. Obsolete. rare.
         97. green 1824–1924
             A greenhorn; a simpleton. Cf. sense A.II.8d. Obsolete.
         98. sunket a1825–
             English regional (East Anglian). In extended use, denoting a person. A stupid or foolish person.
         99. gawp 1825–
             A fool or simpleton. (See also gawpus, n.)
         100. gawpy 1825–
              Of the same meaning.
         101. gawpus 1826–
              A silly person, simpleton.
         102. Tomnoddy 1826–
              A foolish or stupid person; (also) a mildly depreciative term for any person. Cf. noddy, n.¹ 1.
         103. Sammy 1828–
              English regional. Also with lower-case initial. A simpleton, a fool.
         104. tammie norie 1828–1903
              Scottish. A foolish or stupid person. Cf. Tomnoddy, n. 2. Obsolete.
         105. Tommy 1828–99
              A fool, a simpleton. Cf. tomfool, n. A.1b. Obsolete (English regional (northern) in later use).
         106. sillikin 1832–
              A fool, a simpleton. Also as a playful term of reproof.
         107. gom 1834–
              A poor silly fellow.
         108. noodlehead 1835–
              = noodle, n.¹ 1.
         109. softhorn 1836–
              A foolish, naive, or inexperienced person.
         110. sucker 1838–
              figurative. A greenhorn, simpleton. Originally North American.
         111. Sam 1843–
              A ninny, simpleton. Cf. Sammy, n. 1. slang.
         112. softie 1850–
              disparaging. A person considered to lack intelligence or common sense, or to be easily imposed on or deceived; a foolish, silly, or simple…
         113. dope 1851–
              colloquial (originally dialect). A stupid person, a simpleton, a fool. Also (U.S. slang), a person under the influence of, or addicted to, some…
         114. nowmun 1854–
              A fool, an idiot.
         115. soft 1854–1901
              colloquial (chiefly English regional). A simple or foolish person. Obsolete.
         116. verigreen 1854–
              A very simple or gullible person.
         117. gum-sucker 1855–
              a. A native-born, non-Aboriginal Australian (esp. a Victorian) or Tasmanian; b. a fool or simpleton.
         118. flat-head 1862–
              A fool, simpleton. dialect and slang.
         119. peanut 1864–
              colloquial (originally U.S.). A small, unintelligent, or unimportant person (see also quots. 1945, 1968).
         120. peggy 1869–
              English regional. A man with feminine habits or traits. Also: a simpleton. Cf. molly, n.¹ 2. Now rare.
         121. daftie 1872–
              A daft person.
         122. noodledum 1883
              Foolishness; a foolish person.
         123. jay 1884–
              transferred. A stupid or silly person; a simpleton.
         124. josser 1886–
              A simpleton; a soft or silly fellow. So, in flippant or contemptuous use, a fellow, an (old) chap (see also quots. 1933, 1946).
         125. toot 1888–
              An idle or worthless person; a simpleton, fool.
         126. naïf 1891–
              A naive person.
         127. peanut head 1891–
              A stupid or foolish person; also as a term of abuse. Cf. pinhead, n. A.4a, pea-brain, n., etc.
         128. yap c1894–
              A fool, someone easily taken in; also, an uncultured or unsophisticated person. dialect and U.S. slang.
         129. simp 1903–
              A fool, a simpleton.
         130. sappyhead 1922–
              A foolish person. Cf. sap-head, n.
         131. barm-stick 1924–
              A feeble-minded person (Eng. Dial. Dict.); also attributive.
         132. Arkie 1927–
              U.S. colloquial (frequently derogatory). A native or inhabitant of Arkansas, an Arkansan; spec. one made homeless during the Great Depression and forced to seek employment elsewhere…
         133. putz 1928–
              Originally in Jewish usage, now more generally: a stupid or worthless person; a fool.
         134. knobhead 1931–
              Used as a disparaging term for a person. North American slang. A stupid or slow-witted person; a dolt, an idiot, a numbskull.
         135. steamer 1932–
              Rhyming slang. = mug, n.⁵ 1; also spec. a homosexual man, esp. one who seeks passive partners.
         136. jerk-off 1939–
              A foolish, objectionable, or obnoxious person (esp. a male); a jerk.
         137. drongo 1942–
              A simpleton, a stupid person; see also quot. 1942. Hence as adj., silly, foolish. Australian slang.
         138. galah 1945–
              Australian slang. A fool, a simpleton.
         139. Charlie 1946–
              A fool, simpleton, esp. a proper, right Charley. slang.
         140. nig-nog 1953–
              slang (usually mildly derogatory). A new or unskilled recruit; a novice; a foolish or naive person. Cf. ning-nong, n.
         141. sawn 1953–
              = sawney, n. 2.
         142. nong-nong 1959–
              = nong, n. 2.
         143. pronk 1959–
              British slang. derogatory. Now rare. A fool, an idiot; (also) a weak or ineffectual person.
         144. stiffy 1965–
              A naïve or stupid person.
         145. güey 1994–
              slang (sometimes derogatory). In Mexican contexts and Mexican American usage: a foolish or stupid person; an idiot. Later also in neutral or positive use: a person, esp. a…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
2. adjective
   1. 1.
      1616–18
      † Of or relating to imitation or mimicry; (also) that imitates or mimics. Obsolete.
      1. 1616

         > Like a gorgeous robe, Purl'd ore with natures Ape, and Zany-art.

         R. Anton, Philosophers Satyrs sig. C2
      2. 1618

         > Nor Britaines Odcomb (Zanye braue Vlissis) In all his ambling saw the like as this is.

         J. Taylor, Pennyles Pilgrimage E 2
      1. imitative 1573–
         Characterized by or consisting in imitation.
      2. imitating 1591–
      3. mimetical a1617–
         = mimetic, adj. B.2.
      4. zany 1616–18
         Of or relating to imitation or mimicry; (also) that imitates or mimics. Obsolete.
      5. emulous 1667–
         Desirous of rivalling, imitating, obtaining. Const. of.
      6. eicastic 1669
         Imitative.
      7. mimetic 1669–
         Relating to, characterized by, or of the nature of imitation; spec. representing, picturing, or presenting the real world (esp. in literature, art…
      8. imitative 1700–
         Const. of.
      9. imitational 1833–
         Of, pertaining to, or characterized by imitation.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.
      1869–
      Of a person: characterized by behaviour typical of a zany; esp. behaving in a foolish, ridiculous, or wildly irrational manner. Also: (of an action) characteristic of a zany. Now rare.
      1. 1869

         > He will make some of your zany squires shake in their shoes.

         R. D. Blackmore, Lorna Doone vol. I. xv. 176
      2. 1890

         > Your zany doings have shut every other door against you.

         H. Caine, Bondman vol. II. ii. 38
      3. 1918

         > Before Shakespear touched Hamlet there was a zany Hamlet who mopped and mowed.

         G. B. Shaw in Nation 22 June 308/2
      4. 1978

         > Some proponents of capital punishment felt the Court had finally gone zany.

         L. A. Stevens, Death Penalty xiv. 140
      1. simple-hearted?c1425–
         Having or characterized by simplicity as a personal quality; esp. (a) unsophisticated; (also) simple-minded, ignorant; (b) (in later use usually)…
      2. weak 1440–
         Of a person: lacking or inferior in intellectual power, ability, or acuity; not mentally strong; (hence) easily deceived or fooled, gullible. Now…
      3. good 1480–1784
         spec. Preceding an adjective denoting foolishness or a lack of judgement or intelligence, typically suggesting a naive susceptibility to…
      4. innocent 1548–
         Deficient in intelligence or sense; silly, half-witted, imbecile: cf. B.3(b). Now dialect.
      5. plain-headed a1586–
         †(a) (of a person) ignorant, foolish (obsolete); (b) having a smooth, unornamented, or unattractive head.
      6. simple 1604–
         Stupid, foolish. Also: having an intellectual disability (now offensive). Cf. simple-minded, adj. A.1b.
      7. green 1605–
         Immature, undeveloped. Of a person: naive, gullible. Also of an idea or action: characterized by, or displaying, naivety.
      8. weakly 1620–
         Characterized by moral, emotional, or intellectual weakness. Now rare.
      9. soft 1621–
         colloquial. Lacking intelligence or common sense; easily imposed on or deceived; foolish, silly. Also (potentially offensive): having a mental…
      10. ungifted 1637–
          Having no spiritual or intellectual gifts.
      11. softly 1652–1883
          Lacking in intelligence or common sense; silly, foolish. Cf. soft, adj. III.22a. Obsolete (English regional in later use).
      12. half-witted a1665–
          Having a mental illness; affected by an intellectual impairment or disability. Now generally considered offensive.
      13. hen-headed 1700–
          Daft, silly, or scatty; cf. hen-brained, adj., chicken-headed, adj.
      14. simple-minded 1749–
          Of a person. Intellectually unsophisticated; not able to understand complexity or nuance; (more strongly) foolish, stupid; (sometimes) having an…
      15. simpletonic 1780–
          Characteristic or suggestive of a simpleton; foolish.
      16. simpletonian 1800–
          Characteristic or suggestive of a simpleton; unintelligent, foolish.
      17. sawney 1805–
          Foolish; foolishly sentimental; ? canting, wheedling.
      18. half-arsed 1811–
          Of a person: contemptible, ridiculous; ineffectual, inadequate, incompetent; characterized by poor or half-hearted performance of an action, role…
      19. simpletonish 1819–
          †a. adv. In the manner of a simpleton (obsolete); b. adj. characteristic or suggestive of a simpleton; somewhat simple-minded.
      20. simply disposed 1848
          Unsophisticated; gullible, credulous.
      21. putty-headed 1857–
          Stupid; easily manipulated.
      22. half-assed 1863–
          Of a person: contemptible, ridiculous; ineffectual, inadequate, incompetent; characterized by poor or half-hearted performance of an action, role…
      23. zany 1869–
          Of a person: characterized by behaviour typical of a zany; esp. behaving in a foolish, ridiculous, or wildly irrational manner. Also: (of an action)…
      24. hen-brained 1889–
          Daft, silly, empty-headed; cf. hen-headed, adj., chicken-brained, adj.
      25. cabbage-looking 1898–
          Resembling a cabbage in appearance; (also in extended use) naive, gullible (frequently in to be not as green as one is cabbage-looking: see green…
      26. sooky 1901–
          Lacking in courage; timid; weak. Also: soft-hearted; sentimental.
      27. goonish 1921–
          Of, pertaining to, or resembling a goon (senses goon, n.¹ 1, goon, n.¹ 4).
      28. wally 1922–
          An unfashionable person. rare.
      29. half-ass 1935–
          Contemptible, ridiculous; ineffectual, incompetent; characterized by poor or half-hearted performance of an action, role, etc.; poorly or…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. apish 1579–
         Ape-like in imitation; unreasoningly imitative.
      2. mimical 1610–
         Of an action, attribute, etc.: †befitting a mime or burlesque actor (obsolete); relating to, characterized by, or of the nature of mimicry or…
      3. monkeyish 1621–
         Monkey-like; resembling a monkey in imitativeness or mischievousness.
      4. mimic 1727
         Relating to, or of the nature of, mimicry or imitation; that mimics, or conveys through mimicry.
      5. zany 1869–
         Of a person: characterized by behaviour typical of a zany; esp. behaving in a foolish, ridiculous, or wildly irrational manner. Also: (of an action)…
      6. cod 1895–
         As a modifier. With nouns, in the sense ‘that is a parody of (what is denoted by the second element); burlesque, mock; (also without satirical or…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. merry c1390–
         Of a tale, saying, jest, etc.: amusing, diverting, funny.
      2. pleasant 1553–
         Amusing, comical; ridiculous. Now archaic and rare.
      3. comical 1575–
         Unintentionally humorous; ridiculous, laughable. Cf. comic, adj. B.4.
      4. mowsome 1596
         Of the nature of a jest; jocular, comical.
      5. burlesque 1656–1848
         Droll in look, manner or speech; jocular; odd, grotesque. Obsolete.
      6. humoursome 1656–
         Amusing, comic; = humorous, adj. A.4.
      7. farce-like 1681–
         attributive and in other combinations, as farce-scribbler, farce-tragedy, farce-writer; farce-like adj.
      8. foolish 1691
         Of a story, sight, etc.: ridiculous; amusing. Obsolete (English regional (Gloucestershire) in later use).
      9. farcical 1715–
         Of or belonging to farce; of the nature of farce.
      10. amusive 1727–
          Interesting, engaging.
      11. farciful 1731
          Ludicrous, farcical.
      12. funny 1739–
          Humorous, comical, fun; causing laughter or amusement.
      13. farcic 1763
          = farcical, adj.¹ 1.
      14. quizzical 1785–
          Odd, peculiar; open to mockery, comical. Now rare and archaic.
      15. quizzy 1785–1835
          Odd, peculiar; eccentric.
      16. quizzish 1792–1807
          = quizzy, adj.¹
      17. rib-tickling 1809–
          That tickles the ribs; amusing. Cf. to tickle (a person's) ribs at rib, n.¹ phrases P.2.
      18. smileable 1830–
          At which one may smile.
      19. cocasse 1868–
          Droll, ridiculous.
      20. zany 1869–
          Of a person: characterized by behaviour typical of a zany; esp. behaving in a foolish, ridiculous, or wildly irrational manner. Also: (of an action)…
      21. priceless 1907–
          colloquial. Unparalleled, delightfully original; very amusing; absurd, ludicrous.
      22. skit 1914–
          Amusing; to be right skit, to be a great laugh (cf. laugh, n. 3a).
      23. funny-ha-ha 1916–
          Funny in the sense ‘amusing or comical’ (see sense A.1), as distinguished from ‘strange or peculiar’ (see sense A.3); cf. ha ha, int.
      24. gas 1955–
          slang. Very amusing, funny; fun, exciting; great, excellent. Cf. sense A.II.6.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 3.
      1937–
      Surprising or unusual in a way which is regarded as amusing, entertaining, or playful; imaginatively unconventional or idiosyncratic.
      1. 1937

         > Mike and his orchestra..have delighted swing-lovers with their rhythm and zany antics.

         Brooklyn (New York) Times Union 5 January (Late News edition) 7a/2
      2. 1959

         > Luncheon-mats of the subtlest as well as the zaniest designs.

         House & Garden June 76
      3. 1983

         > A sympathetic spirit able to appreciate his more characteristic and zany vein of humour.

         D. Cecil, Portrait of Lamb ii. ii. 143
      4. 2023

         > Parnham's zany antics made headlines.

         Baltimore Sun 21 March 3/2

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzeɪni/
ZAY-nee

### U.S. English

/ˈzeɪni/
ZAY-nee

###
Variant: zanni

### British English

/ˈ(d)zani/
DZAN-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈ(d)zɑni/
DZAH-nee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

#### 1.

1. 1500s
   saine
2. 1500s–1600s
   zani, zanie
3. 1500s–
   zanni ( British English /ˈ(d)zani/ (DZAN-ee) , U.S. English /ˈ(d)zɑni/ (DZAH-nee) ) (now only in sense A.1a)
4. 1600s
   zane, zanee
5. 1600s–
   zany
6. 1700s
   zanny
7. 1700s–
   zaney

#### 2. New English Dictionary (OED first edition) (1921) also records a form

1. 1600s
   zaneese (plural)

## Frequency

zany typically occurs about 0.2 times per million words in modern written English.

zany is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zany, n. & adj., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 0.014
1760 | 0.026
1770 | 0.027
1780 | 0.042
1790 | 0.046
1800 | 0.057
1810 | 0.054
1820 | 0.056
1830 | 0.046
1840 | 0.045
1850 | 0.037
1860 | 0.035
1870 | 0.035
1880 | 0.038
1890 | 0.042
1900 | 0.052
1910 | 0.06
1920 | 0.074
1930 | 0.089
1940 | 0.11
1950 | 0.13
1960 | 0.16
1970 | 0.19
1980 | 0.21
1990 | 0.22
2000 | 0.23
2010 | 0.22

### Frequency of zany, n. & adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.45
2018 | 0.43
2019 | 0.42
2020 | 0.41
2021 | 0.4
2022 | 0.4
2023 | 0.41
2024 | 0.42

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zany, v. 1602–1894
   transitive. To imitate or mimic (a person or…

1. zanyship, n. 1766–1839
   The state or condition of being a zany (in…

1. zanyism, n. 1823–
   The condition, characteristics, or behaviour of a…

1. zanyish, adj. 1843–
   Characteristic of or resembling a zany (in…

1. zaniness, n. 1933–
   The state, condition, or quality of being zany…

1. zanily, adv. 1936–
   In a zany manner; (now) esp. in an imaginatively…

zany, n. & adj. was revised in March 2024.

zany, n. & adj. was last modified in December 2024.