fruitcake

noun

fruit·​cake ˈfrüt-ˌkāk 

plural fruitcakes

1

: a rich cake containing nuts, dried or candied fruits, spices, and usually alcohol (such as rum or brandy)

2

: a foolish or eccentric person

The roommate once thought of as a fruitcake is the candidate likeliest to be our next Secretary of State.

—Erich Segal

also, sometimes offensive : someone who is not mentally sound

"… The guy on the tape's a fruitcake. And he has a rifle. You are not safe here."

—Pat Conroy

Synonyms

• bug
• crackbrain
• crazy
• fool
• head case
• loon
• loony
• lunatic
• maniac
• nut
• nutcase
• nutter [British slang]
• psycho
• psychopath
• sickie
• sicko
• wacko
• whacko

Examples of fruitcake in a Sentence

children in the neighborhood once regarded the reclusive scientist as a fruitcake

he agreed to an evaluation so they could see he wasn't a fruitcake

Recent Examples on the Web

The big dilemma here: Would Pee-wee ever get a present that wasn’t fruitcake? —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2023

This very-merry experience will feature classic European Christmas Market staples like eggnog, fruitcake, and gingerbread alongside gifts made by local artisans. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 July 2023

Among the merriment cruisers will find are food stands with eggnog, fruitcake, and gingerbread, and gift markets with local crafts. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2023

Madeline Carter/Associated Press LAS VEGAS — When Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens values first-round picks like Christmas fruitcakes, summer league can become difficult motivation, especially after two controversial trades of core players. —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fruitcake

noun

fruit·​cake ˈfrüt-ˌkāk 

: a rich cake containing nuts, dried or candied fruits, and spices