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Definition of banjax

banjax

/ˈbæn.dʒæks/
ban · jax
Plural:banjaxes
•
Past Simple:banjaxed
•
Past Participle:banjaxed
•
Present Participle:banjaxing
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banjax Lexical Profile

banjax Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

Irish To damage, ruin, or completely destroy something beyond repair.

Example

"I tried to fix the plumbing myself, but I ended up completely banjaxing the pipes."

2

Irish To exhaust, defeat, or completely thwart someone's plans.

Example

"The sudden cancellation of the grant banjaxed our entire research project for the year."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

Irish A state of complete mess, ruin, or disrepair.

Example

"After the torrential rain collapsed the roof, the entire shed was left in a total banjax."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for banjax

Word Nuance & Usage

Primarily used in Ireland and occasionally the UK as colloquial slang to describe an object that is completely broken beyond repair, or a person who is entirely exhausted.

• Nearby Words

banishment
banister
banistered
banjax
banjo
banjoist
banjul

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in Ireland in the 1920s or 1930s. Its exact etymology is unknown; it is likely an arbitrary coinage or a regional portmanteau.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Banjax. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/banjax
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