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Definition of screwy

screwy

/ˈskɹuː.i/
screw · y
Adverb:screwily
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screwy Lexical Profile

screwy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Rather odd, eccentric, or mentally erratic (used informally).

Example

"The comedian was famous for his screwy characters and unpredictable stage antics."

2

Absurdly disorganized, malfunctioning, or awry (of a plan, schedule, or system).

Example

"My sleep schedule has been completely screwy ever since I returned from the international conference."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for screwy

• Rhymes for screwy

• Nearby Words

screwlike
screwtop
screwup
screwy
scribble
scribbler
scribbly

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the noun 'screw' and the suffix '-y', first recorded in early 19th-century British slang meaning 'intoxicated' before shifting in early 20th-century American slang to mean 'eccentric' or 'crazy' (compare the idiom 'to have a screw loose').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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