batshit

adjective

bat·​shit
ˈbat-ˌshit
vulgar slang
: very irrational, excited, or angry : crazy entry 1
Some say he's smart and some say he's permanently batshit—but they don't say it to his face … . Besides, most truly talented people are, well, strange.Linda Ellerbee, And So It Goes, 1986
This tended to drive the real Hollywood people … absolutely batshit.Jay McInerney, The Guardian (London), 3 Nov. 1996
often used with go
… she shows you that you are not alone in the world, … lets you know that everyone goes batshit sometimes, and that recovering from it can lead you to expectations and views that translate to a new life, a better life.Sridhar Pappu, The Atlantic, January/February 2005
batshit adverb
Joey is aware that there are a lot of people, … who are just batshit crazy. David Brooks, Weekly Standard, 28 Apr. 2003
… over the years he's been called everything from ruthless to batshit insane … Seth Mnookin, Vanity Fair, December 2008

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of batshit was in 1971

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near batshit

Cite this Entry

“Batshit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batshit. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!