ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bonkers

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɑŋkɝz// UK //bˈɒŋkəz// bonkers Informal

adj. completely crazy, silly, or wild. You use this when something or someone is acting in a very strange or funny way.

adj. mentally unbalanced or extremely foolish; characterized by wild or eccentric behavior. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'go' or 'be'.


SIMPLE

The crowd went bonkers when the band finally started playing.

CONTEXTUAL

The traffic in the city center during the holiday season is absolutely bonkers.

COMPLEX

While the initial proposal seemed slightly eccentric, the final version of the plan was completely bonkers and lacked any logical foundation.

Synonyms
Origin

Unknown. Perhaps from bonk (a blow or punch on the head), perhaps related to earlier bonce.

Usage

Informal in register; frequently follows the verb 'go' to describe a sudden change in behavior.

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