First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1nut
noun \ˈnət\
Definition of NUT
1
a (1) : a hard-shelled dry fruit or seed with a separable rind or shell and interior kernel (2) : the kernel of a nut b : a dry indehiscent one-seeded fruit with a woody pericarp
3
: a perforated block usually of metal that has an internal screw thread and is used on a bolt or screw for tightening or holding something
4
: the ridge in a stringed instrument (as a violin) over which the strings pass on the upper end of the fingerboard
5
: a small lump (as of butter)
6
a : a foolish, eccentric, or crazy person b : enthusiast <a movie nut>
7
plural : nonsense —often used interjectionally
8
slang : a person's head
9
usually vulgar : testis
10
: the amount of money that must be earned in order to break even
See nut defined for English-language learners
See nut defined for kids
Origin of NUT
Middle English nute, note, from Old English hnutu; akin to Old High German nuz nut and perhaps to Latin nux nut
Related to NUT
2nut
verb
nut·tednut·ting
Definition of NUT
intransitive verb
: to gather or seek nuts
First Known Use of NUT
1604
NUT Defined for Kids
nut
noun \ˈnət\
Definition of NUT for Kids
1
: a dry fruit or seed with a firm inner kernel and a hard shell
2
: the often edible kernel of a nut
3
: a small piece of metal with a hole through it that can be screwed onto a bolt for tightening or holding something
4
: a foolish or crazy person
5
: a person who is very interested in or enthusiastic about something <a sports nut>
— nut·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective <a nutlike flavor>
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