Word
nutty
Phoneticsnut·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnəti/
UK/nˈʌti/
Definition
adj. tasting like nuts, or behaving in a very strange or silly way. You can use it to describe a delicious snack or a person who is acting a bit crazy.
adj. containing or tasting of nuts; also used to describe behaviour that is eccentric, foolish, or irrational. In its figurative sense, it is informal and carries a lighthearted or mildly critical tone.
Examples
“This dark chocolate has a delicious nutty flavor.”
“He came up with some nutty scheme to build a rocket in his backyard using old washing machine parts.”
“The wine is characterized by a complex nutty finish that balances the initial acidity, though some critics find the aroma slightly overpowering for a vintage of this age.”
Examples
simple
“This dark chocolate has a delicious nutty flavor.”
contextual
“He came up with some nutty scheme to build a rocket in his backyard using old washing machine parts.”
complex
“The wine is characterized by a complex nutty finish that balances the initial acidity, though some critics find the aroma slightly overpowering for a vintage of this age.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'taste' or 'sound'.
Real-World Examples
“Its shots had the best balance of sweetness and bitterness, with the clear chocolate‑nutty profile they were looking for from the beans they know so well.” “It has a slightly nutty and tangy flavour and you can often find it served by the slice on its own on tapas menus.” Etymology
From nut + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/nutty