Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
cockamamy

cockamamy

9.9
Very silly and not likely to be true
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɑkəˌmæmi/
  • Informal
translation icon : absurdo
  • She came up with this cockamamy scheme to get rich quick.

Examples

  • I can't believe you bought into such a cockamamy scheme.

  • That is a cockamamy idea and will never work.

  • His cockamamy excuses were getting old.

  • That idea is completely cockamamy!

  • His cockamamy excuses were getting old.

  • That is a cockamamy idea and will never work.

  • I can't believe you bought into such a cockamamy scheme.

Synonyms

ridiculous
vscockamamy
∞ 1.6

Very silly or unreasonable in a way that makes people laugh

uses informal playful tone rather than formal or scholarly criticism
absurd
vscockamamy
288 4.4

So silly or unreasonable that it makes no sense

uses informal conversational tone rather than more neutral language
ludicrous
vscockamamy
100 6.0

Very silly and unreasonable so it makes people laugh

uses informal conversational tone rather than mild formal amusement
preposterous
vscockamamy
72 7.3

Very silly and unreasonable so it seems laughable

is more informal and conversational rather than formal or emphatic rejection
implausible
vscockamamy
26 7.0

Not likely to be true or hard to believe

adds an informal mocking sense rather than only marking low likelihood
cockeyed
vscockamamy
  • Informal
4 8.9

A foolish idea or plan that will not work

applies broadly to speech or things rather than only ideas or plans
cockamamie
vscockamamy
  • Informal
1 9.9

Silly and unlikely to be true

uses informal tone rather than neutral presentation in speech
killingly absurd
vscockamamy
  • Informal
8.4

Very silly in a way that makes people laugh

is less intensely hilarious and more generally informal in disbelief
bed-wettingly ridiculous
vscockamamy
  • Informal
9.9

Very funny and silly in a way that makes people laugh hard

is more about informal disbelief than provoking extreme laughter

Antonyms

logical
307 3.8

Having clear reasons that fit the facts

sensible
201 2.7

Showing good judgment and making practical choices

How Absurd

preposterous
72 7.3
ludicrous
100 6.0
cockamamy
  • Informal
9.9
ridiculous
∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

cockamamy positive

Etymology

The word cockamamy comes from American slang and was formed as a playful, made-up word for something unlikely or silly. A helpful way to remember it is to picture a rooster, called a cock, offering a ridiculous plan. So, cockamamy means 'absurd' or 'ridiculous'.