zany Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a buffoon in one of the old comedies; imitates others for ludicrous effect
  2. noun a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
    goof; cuckoo; fathead; goose; bozo; twat; jackass; goofball.
  3. adjective satellite ludicrous, foolish
    cockamamie; wacky; goofy; sappy; whacky; silly; cockamamy.
    • gave me a cockamamie reason for not going
    • wore a goofy hat
    • a silly idea
    • some wacky plan for selling more books
  4. adjective satellite like a clown
    clownish; buffoonish; clownlike.
    • a buffoonish walk
    • a clownish face
    • a zany sense of humor

WordNet

Za"ny noun
Etymology
It. zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i. e., merry John, L. Ioannes, Gr. , Heb. Yokhanan, prop., the Lord graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf. Jenneting.
Wordforms
plural Zanies
Definitions
  1. A merry-andrew; a buffoon.
    Then write that I may follow, and so be Thy echo, thy debtor, thy foil, thy zany. Donne.
    Preacher at once, and zany of thy age. Pope.
Za"ny transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To mimic. Obs.
    Your part is acted; give me leave at distance To zany it. Massinger.

Webster 1913