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Definition of nuthouse

nuthouse

/ˈnʌtˌhaʊs/
nut · house
Plural:nuthouses
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nuthouse Lexical Profile

nuthouse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A place or situation characterized by extreme chaos, noise, or frantic activity.

Example

"The shopping mall was an absolute nuthouse on the afternoon before Christmas Eve."

2

A psychiatric hospital or mental institution (used as derogatory slang).

Example

"In old movies, eccentric characters were often threatened with being sent to the nuthouse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for nuthouse

Word Nuance & Usage

As a slang term for a psychiatric hospital, 'nuthouse' is dated and considered offensive or derogatory toward people with mental illness; however, its figurative use to describe a chaotic or hectic place remains common in casual conversation.

• Nearby Words

nutcracker
nutella
nuthatch
nuthouse
nutjob
nutlike
nutloaf

Cite this Entry

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