What does "barmy" mean?
plural of barma (“a regal Russian mantle or neckpiece made of gold, encrusted with diamonds and other gems”)
Barmy
/ˈbɑːmi/ adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: plural of barma (“a regal Russian mantle or neckpiece made of gold, encrusted with diamonds and other gems”)
- Grammar: barmy is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: loopy, nutty, absurd, around the bend.
- Useful contrasts: logical, rational, reasonable.
- Usage evidence: Mary said to Tom: "You're barmy!"
How to use "barmy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "barmy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "barmy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "barmy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "barmy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "barmy" is acting as adj, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "loopy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "barmy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 plural of barma (“a regal Russian mantle or neckpiece made of gold, encrusted with diamonds and other gems”) British, Ireland, archaic, form-of, informal, plural
Adjective
- 1 Containing, covered with, or pertaining to barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, used as leaven in brewing and making bread”). also, archaic, figuratively
"[T]each thy Incubus to Poëtize, / And throvve abroad thy ſpurious Snotteries, / Vpon that puft-vp Lumpe of Barmy froth, […]"
- 2 Crazy, mad; also, eccentric, odd, strange. British, Ireland, archaic, informal
"[T]he exercise yard of the "barmy fellows," as he called the madmen, (meaning, I suppose, that their brains were in an unnatural state of working,) was but a stone's throw from himself and his rational companions, […]"
- 3 Bubbling with activity or excitement; active, excited. archaic, figuratively
"Just now I've taen the fit o' rhyme, / My barmie noddle's working prime, […]"
- 4 Very foolish. British, Ireland, archaic, informal
Adjective
- 1 informal or slang terms for mentally irregular wordnet
- 2 marked by spirited enjoyment wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"Mary said to Tom: "You're barmy!""
Common questions
What is a synonym for "barmy"?
Common synonyms include: loopy, nutty, absurd, around the bend, balmy, balmy.
How do you use "barmy" in a sentence?
Mary said to Tom: "You're barmy!"
How do you pronounce "barmy"?
Pronounced /ˈbɑːmi/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, and used as leaven”) + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’ forming adjectives). Barm is derived from Middle English berm, berme (“foam rising upon ale or beer fermenting; leaven, yeast; foam or head of beer produced by pouring”) [and other forms], from Old English beorma (“foam or head of beer; leaven, yeast”), from Proto-West Germanic *bermō (“barm; yeast”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (“to boil; to brew”) or *gʷʰer- (“warm; hot”).
Etymology 2
Probably an alteration of balmy (“foolish; slightly crazy or mad, eccentric”), influenced by barm (“foam rising upon beer or other malt liquors when fermenting, and used as leaven”) (see etymology 1).
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Russian бармы (barmy).