bats

9.3

A bit crazy or silly in a strange way

adjective
/bæts/

Offensive

: loco

After the wild party, he felt a bit bats for dancing on the table.

Children would cower in fear because I was bats.

Examples

Her fashion sense is quite bats, mixing colors and patterns unexpectedly.
Everyone thinks my ideas are bats, but I believe they're innovative.
I got blue hair, I got tattoos, and I'm bat nuts.
I'm literally going bat, bat, bat, skidded it, bat bat.

Synonyms

wacky

vsbats

Informal

98 5.9

Odd in a funny or silly way

is the basic informal term for oddness without aiming to amuse

loony

vsbats

Offensive

58 8.2

Strange and silly in a way people call crazy

is the general informal term for mental irregularity without severity focus

nutty

vsbats

Informal

55 7.2

Being a little crazy in a funny or strange way

covers the same informal irregularity without implying strong madness

kooky

vsbats

Informal

26 8.0

Slightly strange in a funny, pleasant way

covers eccentricity too but without stressing amusing appeal

daft

vsbats

Informal

18 5.8

Silly in a way that is slightly funny

is the general informal label for mental irregularity, not only silliness

loopy

vsbats

Informal

17 7.9

A person who behaves in a slightly crazy or silly way

is broader and covers eccentricity without emphasizing unpredictability

batshit

vsbats

Offensive

16 9.9

An informal word for very crazy and hard to believe

denotes informal mental irregularity but not the extreme wildness

fruity

vsbats

Offensive

10 8.6

Used informally to describe someone who behaves in a strange or silly way

is the plain informal description of mental irregularity without slang colour

batty

vsbats

Offensive

6 8.4

Slightly strange in the way a person thinks or behaves

is the same informal idea of mental irregularity but slightly broader

barmy

vsbats

3 8.2

Being silly and slightly crazy in a way that seems funny and harmless

is similar but may be used more widely, not always harmlessly

dotty

vsbats

Informal

2 8.5

Someone who behaves in a slightly strange or silly way

is the broader informal category of mental irregularity without mildness focus

around the bend

vsbats

Offensive

1 9.3

To be very confused or act in a strange way

is the general informal label for mental irregularity without phrasing

haywire

vsbats

Informal

1 8.1

Mentally confused and behaving wildly

focuses on simple mental irregularity without the uncontrollable aspect

balmy

vsbats

Offensive

1 8.4

Being a little crazy or foolish

is the same informal mental irregularity but not marked Britishly

whacky

vsbats

Informal

1 7.7

Funny in a strange or silly way

is more neutral, covering oddness whether funny or serious

buggy

vsbats

Offensive

1 8.1

Acting strange or not thinking clearly

is the general informal description, not highlighting instability specifically

loco

vsbats

Offensive

1 9.9

Not behaving in a normal or sensible way

is the looser informal label for mental irregularity rather than abnormality

nuts

vsbats

Offensive

8.6

Very crazy or doing things that show bad judgment

is similar but used more gently and less bluntly

bonkers

vsbats

Informal

8.0

Acting or feeling very strange

is similar but usually less extreme in tone

cracked

vsbats

Offensive

7.4

Someone who acts a little crazy

is the broad informal idea of mental irregularity rather than a degree

crackers

vsbats

8.8

Acting very silly and not thinking in a sensible way

is the broader informal term for mental irregularity beyond British usage

kookie

vsbats

Slang

9.8

Strange in a funny or slightly crazy way

is the standard informal label for mental irregularity without slang hint

Antonyms

normal

∞ 1.0

Usual or expected in most situations

sane

119 3.2

Having a healthy mind and able to think clearly

Idioms

bats in one's belfry

Offensive

1 9.9

Act in a strange or crazy way

How Crazy

insane

Slur

524 4.0

bonkers

Informal

8.0

bats

Offensive

9.3

eccentric

99 7.2

odd

798 1.0

Surface Forms

bats positive

Etymology

The word bats comes from the animal bat and the old image 'bats in the belfry' — a 'belfry' is a 'bell tower' where bats might fly, so people pictured a head full of fluttering bats. So, if someone is bats they are 'crazy' or acting very strange.