zonky, adj.

zonky
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zonky_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 1986; not fully revised

# zonkyadjective (& noun)

## Earlier version

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

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zonky mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the adjective zonky. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

#### Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

### How is the adjective zonky pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɒŋki/
ZONG-kee

### Where does the adjective zonky come from?

Earliest known use

1970s

The earliest known use of the adjective zonky is in the 1970s.

OED's earliest evidence for zonky is from 1972, in Daily Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia).

zonky is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zonked adj., ‑y suffix6.

### Nearby entries

1. Zonian, n. 1910–
2. zonic, adj. 1797–
3. zoning, n. a1821–
4. zonite, n. 1860–
5. zonitic, adj. 1888–
6. zonk, v. 1950–
7. zonk, int. 1949–
8. zonked, adj. 1959–
9. zonkey, n. 1953–
10. zonking, adj. 1958–
11. zonky, adj.1972–
12. zono-, comb. form
13. zonochlorite, n. 1872–
14. zonociliate, adj. 1885–
15. zonoplacental, adj. 1879–
16. zonular, adj. 1835–
17. zonule, n. 1828–
18. zonulet, n. 1648
19. zonure, n. 1883–
20. zoo, n. 1835–
21. zoo-, comb. form

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
< zonk- (in zonked adj.) + ‑y suffix6.

## Meaning & use

slang.

1. 1972–
   Odd, weird, ‘freaky’. Hence as n., a person in this state.
   1. 1972

      > ‘Wow, is this zonky?’ breathed an admiring observer softly, as she gazed incredulously at the newly opened, all-cardboard room.

      Daily Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia) 26 April 22/5
   2. 1975

      > Unlike the honkey-tonk zonkies who used to hang out at his..workshop, shooting up or having sex in public view... Warhol has rarely, personally, done anything scandalous.

      Globe & Mail (Toronto) 25 October 34/1
   3. 1977

      > That combination of the new and old seems to have escaped most journalists except—in one of his zonky moments of insight—Hunter Thompson.

      New York Review of Books 28 April 12/3
   4. 1979

      > All the guy there does is..shakes his head. Makes you feel zonky..twittery.

      B. Malamud, Dubin's Lives i. 22
   5. 1980

      > His book is really a study in ideas—or to coin an appropriately zonkey term—weirdology.

      Times 6 November 12/6
   colloquial and slang
   1. fantastical 1589–1616
      One who has fanciful ideas or notions.
   2. fantastic 1598–
      One who has fanciful ideas or indulges in wild notions. Obs. exc. arch.
   3. earwig brain 1599
      derogatory Obsolete. A person with silly or eccentric notions; = maggot-pate, n.
   4. erratic 1623–
      An erratic person. One who is eccentric in modes of action, etc.
   5. exorbitant 1627–1714
      One who or something which exceeds proper limits. Obsolete. rare.
   6. extravagant 1627–1751
      One who does not keep within ordinary or reasonable limits; an exceptional or eccentric person; a fanatic. Obsolete.
   7. inconformable 1633–
      Of persons: Not disposed or wont to conform; of incompliant disposition or practice: esp., in English History, Not conforming to the usages of…
   8. non-conformant 1654–
      A person who does not conform; spec. = nonconformist, n. A.1a.
   9. original 1675–
      A person who acts in an original way; a singular, odd, or eccentric person.
   10. nonconformist a1677–
       A person who fails or refuses to conform to a particular practice or course of action.
   11. toy-pate 1702
       A person with a head full of odd fancies or frivolities (cf. toy-headed, adj.).
   12. gig 1777–
       An eccentric person; a person whose appearance is peculiar or ridiculous; dialect a fool. Chiefly Eton College slang. Cf. geck, n.¹, gegge, n.
   13. quiz 1780–
       An odd or eccentric person; a person whose appearance is peculiar or ridiculous.
   14. pistol 1828–
       figurative. English regional (north-western). A peculiar, eccentric, or disorderly person; (in weakened sense) a person, esp. a man. Usually derog…
   15. eccentric 1832–
       A person whose conduct is irregular, odd, or whimsical.
   16. case 1833–
       slang. In extended uses of senses 7, 8. U.S. An eccentric or comical person; a ‘character’.
   17. crank 1833–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). disparaging. A person who is apt to take up eccentric notions or impracticable projects; esp. one who is…
   18. originalist 1835–
       A person who acts, thinks, or otherwise behaves in an original way. Now rare.
   19. Bohemian 1843–
       Now often with lower-case initial. A person, esp. one involved in the arts, who disregards or flouts social convention, and usually associates…
   20. bad girl 1855–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). A woman who defies expected or approved standards of conduct, esp. one who behaves in a wild, rebellious, or…
   21. cure 1856–
       An odd or eccentric person; a funny fellow.
   22. curiosity 1864–
       Applied to a person who is ‘queer’ in his or her appearance, habits, etc.; cf. oddity, n.
   23. crackpot 1883–
       A crack-brain, a crazy creature, a crank. Also attributive.
   24. hard case 1892–
       Australian and New Zealand. An amusing or eccentric person, a ‘character’; typically (esp. in early use) one who is tough and adventurous. Cf. doer…
   25. hard doer 1900–
       Australian and New Zealand. = hard case, n. A.3b; cf. doer, n. 5.
   26. mental case 1908–
       A person diagnosed with or supposed to have a mental illness; (colloquial) a person who is irrational, uncontrolled, or eccentric. Now usually considered offensive.
   27. nut 1908–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). A mad or crazy person; an eccentric, a crank.
   28. antisocial 1909–
       A person who exhibits antisocial behaviour or who is considered to have a personality disorder causing this. See sense A.3a and antisocial personalit…
   29. loony bird 1909–
       Chiefly disparaging. A person who is regarded as extremely foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric, delusional, or out of touch with reality. Now…
   30. screwball 1933–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). A crazy or eccentric person; a madman; an oddball. Frequently as a mild term of abuse.
   31. odd bod 1942–
       A person who is odd, strange, or eccentric.
   32. oddball 1943–
       An eccentric or odd person; a person of unconventional views or habits. Cf. screwball, n. A.2.
   33. left fielder 1953–
       A person or thing (esp. in the arts or entertainment) regarded as surprising, unconventional, radical, or experimental.
   34. loony tunes 1957–
       Also in singular form loony tune. A person with a mental illness. Also: a person regarded as extremely foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric…
   35. boho 1958–
       A person who is socially unconventional in a way regarded as characteristic of creative artists; a bohemian. Also as a mass noun: the lifestyle…
   36. numéro 1958–
       = number, n. (in various senses). Also: an eccentric or strange person.
   37. anti-establishmentarian 1960–
       Opposed or hostile to the establishment (establishment, n. A.II.9a) or established authority; characterized by or involving a lack of respect for, or…
   38. kook 1960–
       A cranky, crazy, or eccentric person. Frequently attributive or as adj.
   39. flake 1968–
       One who is ‘flaky’ or liable to act in an eccentric or crazy manner, a ‘screwball’; also, a foolish, slow-witted, or unreliable person. slang…
   40. nutball 1968–
       A crazy, mad, or eccentric person. Cf. nutcase, n.
   41. woo-woo 1971–
       Designating a person or group holding beliefs or following practices conventionally regarded as unscientific, irrational, or outlandish, esp. ones…
   42. woo-woo 1972–
       A person who holds beliefs or follows practices conventionally regarded as unscientific, irrational, or outlandish, esp. ones relating to…
   43. zonky 1972–
       Odd, weird, ‘freaky’. Hence as n., a person in this state.
   44. crazy-pants 1975–
       slang (frequently derogatory). A person completely lacking in common sense, reason, or intelligence; a highly eccentric person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address.
   45. wacko 1977–
       = wack, n.¹
   46. wackadoo 1979–
       A very foolish, irrational, or eccentric person. Cf. wacko, n.
   47. alternative 1982–
       A person who or thing which represents an unorthodox style or approach; esp. a fan or performer of alternative music; (also) alternative music as a…
   48. wackadoodle 1991–
       = wackadoo, n.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. remote 1533–1779
      Strange, unusual; far-fetched, outlandish, bizarre. Obsolete.
   2. antic 1579–
      Esp. of a person, or a person's attributes or actions: grotesquely amusing or playful; absurd, fantastical.
   3. outlandish 1588–
      Looking or sounding foreign; unfamiliar, strange. Hence, in extended use: odd, bizarre; going beyond what is considered normal or acceptable…
   4. bizarre a1648–
      At variance with recognized ideas of taste, departing from ordinary style or usage; eccentric, extravagant, whimsical, strange, odd, fantastic.
   5. outré 1722–
      Beyond the bounds of what is usual or considered correct and proper; unusual, peculiar; eccentric, unorthodox; extreme.
   6. weird 1820–
      Out of the ordinary course, strange, unusual; hence, odd, fantastic.
   7. weirdish 1863–
      Somewhat weird.
   8. ostrobogulous 1951–
      Used after Neuburg to designate something that is slightly risqué or indecent. Also applied arbitrarily to things which are bizarre, interesting…
   9. ostrobogulatory 1952–
   10. far-out 1954–
       Of jazz: of the latest or most progressive kind. More generally, avant-garde, far-fetched; excellent, splendid. Originally U.S.
   11. schiz 1957–
       slang (originally North American). Now likely to be considered offensive. Of a thing, situation, etc.: odd, bizarre; erratic, unpredictable; having inconsistent or contradictory elements.
   12. weirdo 1962–
       Bizarre, eccentric, odd.
   13. freaky 1967–
       colloquial. Of a person: strange or unconventional, esp. because of markedly unusual appearance or behaviour.
   14. flaky 1972–
       slang (originally U.S.). Of an object, idea, etc.: characteristically eccentric or crazy; outrageous, unusual; also, unreliable or erratic.
   15. zonky 1972–
       Odd, weird, ‘freaky’. Hence as n., a person in this state.
   16. gonzo 1974–
       Bizarre, crazy; far-fetched.
   17. mondo bizarro 1976–
       Very bizarre; tastelessly bizarre.
   18. freakish 1977–
       Eerie or spooky; bizarre, grotesque.
   19. mondo 1979–
       Designating a film reminiscent of Mondo Cane or belonging to the genre of films it inspired; having subject matter which is bizarre or in…
   20. freaky-deaky 1981–
       Highly unusual, odd, or unconventional; freaky; (also) engaging in or relating to sexual behaviour regarded as unusual or unconventional.
   21. woo-woo 1986–
       Designating beliefs or practices conventionally regarded as unscientific, irrational, or outlandish, esp. ones relating to spirituality, mysticism…
   22. freakazoid 1990–
       Bizarre or freakish.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. fantastical 1589–1616
      One who has fanciful ideas or notions.
   2. singularist 1593–1677
      One who differs from others, or from what is generally accepted; one who affects singularity.
   3. fantastic 1598–
      One who has fanciful ideas or indulges in wild notions. Obs. exc. arch.
   4. earwig brain 1599
      derogatory Obsolete. A person with silly or eccentric notions; = maggot-pate, n.
   5. singularitan 1615–47
      = singularist, n. 1.
   6. extravagant 1627–1751
      One who does not keep within ordinary or reasonable limits; an exceptional or eccentric person; a fanatic. Obsolete.
   7. original 1675–
      A person who acts in an original way; a singular, odd, or eccentric person.
   8. toy-pate 1702
      A person with a head full of odd fancies or frivolities (cf. toy-headed, adj.).
   9. queer fellow 1712–
      a. Chiefly Irish English and Nautical, an odd or eccentric person, a ‘character’; b. slang (originally Military), a person in command or in charge.
   10. oddity 1731–
       An odd or peculiar person.
   11. unaccountable 1748–
       An unaccountable person.
   12. character 1773–
       colloquial. An odd, extraordinary, or eccentric person.
   13. gig 1777–
       An eccentric person; a person whose appearance is peculiar or ridiculous; dialect a fool. Chiefly Eton College slang. Cf. geck, n.¹, gegge, n.
   14. quiz 1780–
       An odd or eccentric person; a person whose appearance is peculiar or ridiculous.
   15. quoz?1780–
       An odd or ridiculous person or thing; (with plural agreement) people or things of this kind. Also as int.: expressing incredulity or contempt. Cf…
   16. rum 1788–1859
       An odd, dubious, or despicable person; a ‘rum customer’.
   17. rum touch 1800–
       An odd, dubious, or suspect person.
   18. rum customer 1803–
       An odd, dubious, or suspect person.
   19. pistol 1828–
       figurative. English regional (north-western). A peculiar, eccentric, or disorderly person; (in weakened sense) a person, esp. a man. Usually derog…
   20. eccentric 1832–
       A person whose conduct is irregular, odd, or whimsical.
   21. case 1833–
       slang. In extended uses of senses 7, 8. U.S. An eccentric or comical person; a ‘character’.
   22. crank 1833–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). disparaging. A person who is apt to take up eccentric notions or impracticable projects; esp. one who is…
   23. card 1835–
       colloquial (originally slang). With modifying adjective (as knowing, rum, etc.): a person (esp. a man) regarded as having the specified character…
   24. card 1853–
       colloquial (originally slang). Originally: an ingenious, clever, or audacious person. In later use chiefly: an odd or eccentric person, esp. one in…
   25. cure 1856–
       An odd or eccentric person; a funny fellow.
   26. curiosity 1864–
       Applied to a person who is ‘queer’ in his or her appearance, habits, etc.; cf. oddity, n.
   27. crackpot 1883–
       A crack-brain, a crazy creature, a crank. Also attributive.
   28. hard case 1892–
       Australian and New Zealand. An amusing or eccentric person, a ‘character’; typically (esp. in early use) one who is tough and adventurous. Cf. doer…
   29. queer shot 1900–
       queer shot (dialect): an ‘odd customer’.
   30. gook 1904–
       A stupid, annoying, or peculiar person; spec. †(a) a person who offers unsolicited advice or opinions, a know-all (obsolete); (b) (now chiefly) a… Now somewhat uncommon, perhaps due to the possibility of confusion with the derogatory and offensive gook, n.²
   31. mad hatter 1905–
       A highly eccentric or crazy character (frequently in mad hatter's tea party).
   32. nut 1908–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). A mad or crazy person; an eccentric, a crank.
   33. loony bird 1909–
       Chiefly disparaging. A person who is regarded as extremely foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric, delusional, or out of touch with reality. Now…
   34. rummy 1909–
       An odd or unconventional person.
   35. hard thing 1918–
       = hard case, n. A.3b.
   36. hardshot 1924–
       = hard case, n. A.3b.
   37. screwball 1933–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). A crazy or eccentric person; a madman; an oddball. Frequently as a mild term of abuse.
   38. wack 1938–
       An eccentric or crazy person; a madman, a crackpot.
   39. quaint 1939–
       A strange or unusual person. rare.
   40. fruitcake 1942–
       colloquial (originally U.S.). disparaging and potentially offensive. A wildly foolish or extremely eccentric person; (more strongly) a person…
   41. odd bod 1942–
       A person who is odd, strange, or eccentric.
   42. oddball 1943–
       An eccentric or odd person; a person of unconventional views or habits. Cf. screwball, n. A.2.
   43. loony tunes 1957–
       Also in singular form loony tune. A person with a mental illness. Also: a person regarded as extremely foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric…
   44. numéro 1958–
       = number, n. (in various senses). Also: an eccentric or strange person.
   45. kook 1960–
       A cranky, crazy, or eccentric person. Frequently attributive or as adj.
   46. joker in the pack 1963–
       An odd card in a pack, either left blank or ornamented with some design, used in some games, counting always as a trump and sometimes as the…
   47. flake 1968–
       One who is ‘flaky’ or liable to act in an eccentric or crazy manner, a ‘screwball’; also, a foolish, slow-witted, or unreliable person. slang…
   48. woo-woo 1972–
       A person who holds beliefs or follows practices conventionally regarded as unscientific, irrational, or outlandish, esp. ones relating to…
   49. zonky 1972–
       Odd, weird, ‘freaky’. Hence as n., a person in this state.
   50. quirky 1975–
       An eccentric person; a peculiar thing. rare.
   51. wacko 1977–
       = wack, n.¹
   52. wackadoo 1979–
       A very foolish, irrational, or eccentric person. Cf. wacko, n.
   53. wingnut 1980–
       slang (disparaging). An unstable or irrational person; an eccentric. In later use sometimes: spec. (North American) a person who holds extreme…
   54. wackadoodle 1991–
       = wackadoo, n.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɒŋki/
ZONG-kee

####

##### 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.

####

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

Also zonkey.

zonky, adj. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zonky, adj. was last modified in December 2024.