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totally loco

totally loco

9.9
Very crazy and wild in a way that seems out of control
  • adjective
  • /ˈtoʊtəli ˈloʊkoʊ/
  • Slang
translation icon : totalmente loco
  • The crowd went totally loco when the band started playing their hit song.

Examples

  • She decorated her apartment in a totally loco style, with bright colors everywhere.

  • After hearing his plan, I thought he was totally loco to even try it.

  • That party last night was totally loco!

  • He acts totally loco when he gets excited.

  • The party got totally loco when the DJ played everyone's favorite song.

  • After three days without sleep, he was acting totally loco and talking to himself.

  • During the heat of the game, the crowd became totally loco with excitement.

Synonyms

crazy
vstotally loco
  • Informal
3.5

Very enthusiastic or excited, often in a way that seems unreasonable

is more about uncontrolled or eccentric acting rather than mere enthusiasm
wild
vstotally loco
355 4.2

Very uncontrolled in behavior and lacking control

is crazier in mind and oddness rather than just uncontrolled action
nutty
vstotally loco
  • Informal
55 7.2

Being a little crazy in a funny or strange way

is more extreme and wilder rather than mildly eccentric
maniacal
vstotally loco
19 8.6

Very wild and out of control, seeming crazy

is extreme but sometimes has eccentric or playful qualities instead of pure frenzy
raving mad
vstotally loco
  • Informal
7 7.2

Acting or speaking in a wild, not sensible way

is extreme but usually shows odd eccentric behavior rather than pure frenzy
batty
vstotally loco
  • Offensive
6 8.4

Slightly strange in the way a person thinks or behaves

is stronger and more extreme rather than only mild eccentricity
crazed
vstotally loco
1 5.0

Acting in a wild and uncontrolled way

is extreme and chaotic but can also include odd, eccentric manner
nutty as a fruitcake
vstotally loco
  • Informal
1 9.0

Very strange and silly in a way that seems crazy

is extreme but focuses more on wild or uncontrolled acting
nutsy
vstotally loco
  • Slang
1 8.6

Slightly silly and odd in a playful way

is much more extreme and uncontrolled, not just playful silliness
loco
vstotally loco
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Not behaving in a normal or sensible way

adds emphasis but often highlights odd or uncontrolled conduct instead
insane in the membrane
vstotally loco
  • Slang
1 9.8

Acting or feeling very silly and not thinking clearly, often as a joke

is similar but often lacks the humorous, exaggerated tone
bonkers
vstotally loco
  • Informal
8.0

Acting or feeling very strange

is stronger and more extreme, often uncontrolled rather than just strange
nutso
vstotally loco
  • Slang
8.6

Very silly and wild in a playful way

is extreme and uncontrolled but not always playful or exaggerated
cracked
vstotally loco
  • Offensive
7.4

Someone who acts a little crazy

is far stronger, showing full loss of control or odd behavior

Antonyms

119 3.2

Having a healthy mind and able to think clearly

Kept within limits by careful management

How Crazy

berserk
1 7.2
insane
  • Offensive
184 4.1
totally loco
  • Slang
9.9
wild
355 4.2
crazy
  • Slur
40 7.2
eccentric
1 7.0
odd
798 1.0

Surface Forms

totally loco positive

Morphology

totally + loco

The meaning 'extremely crazy' is directly and compositionally derived from 'totally' (completely) + 'loco' (crazy). Even though 'loco' is an informal/loanword, its contribution is literal rather than idiomatic, so a B1 learner who knows both words will easily infer the phrase meaning.

Etymology

The phrase totally loco comes from the Spanish word loco, which literally means 'crazy'. With totally making it stronger, picture someone acting very wild or out of control, so the phrase now means 'extremely crazy or wild'.