Search Dictionary
Definition of nutcase

nutcase

/ˈnʌt.keɪs/
nut · case
Plural:nutcases
JUMP TO:

nutcase Lexical Profile

nutcase Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who behaves in a wildly eccentric, irrational, foolish, or mentally unstable manner (slang).

Example

"You would have to be a complete nutcase to go swimming in that freezing river in the middle of winter."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nutcase

Word Nuance & Usage

'Nutcase' is a colloquial and often derogatory slang term; it should be avoided in formal contexts or when discussing genuine mental health conditions.

• Nearby Words

nut
nutball
nutbutter
nutcase
nutcracker
nutella
nuthatch

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century slang by combining 'nut' (late 19th-century slang for the head, and by extension an eccentric or crazy person) with 'case' in its medical or psychiatric sense of a patient or clinical instance.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nutcase. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nutcase
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.