ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gaga

adj.
US //ˈɡɑˌɡə// UK //ɡˈɑːɡɐ// gaga
  1. 1 infatuated or excited (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to be completely in love with someone or very excited about something.

    excessively enthusiastic or infatuated with a person, object, or idea.

    Example

    The fans went gaga when the singer finally walked onto the stage.

    Example

    The tech press has gone completely gaga over the latest smartphone release, despite the lack of any truly innovative features.

    Usage

    Usually follows the verb 'go' or 'be' and takes the preposition 'over' or 'about'.
  2. 2 mentally confused (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal

    confused or losing your memory because of old age.

    suffering from a loss of mental faculties; senile.

    Example

    My great-grandfather is starting to go a bit gaga in his old age.

    Example

    The family became concerned when the elderly professor began to go gaga, frequently forgetting the names of his own children.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense can be seen as insensitive or offensive; use 'senile' or 'suffering from dementia' in formal or respectful contexts.
Origin

Borrowed from French gaga.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026