B2 adjective Informal

bonkers

/ˈbɒŋ.kəz/

An informal adjective used to describe someone or something that is crazy, insane, or highly eccentric. It can refer to a person's mental state, a chaotic situation, or an idea that seems completely absurd or wild.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The traffic in the city center today was absolutely bonkers.

The traffic in the city center today was extremely chaotic and crazy.

2

The committee initially thought the architect's radical vision was slightly bonkers.

The committee initially thought the architect's radical vision was somewhat irrational.

3

Don't listen to him; he's gone completely bonkers since he won the lottery.

Don't listen to him; he has become totally crazy since he won the lottery.

Word Family

Adjective
bonkers
Related
madness
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'bonk,' which is the sound of hitting your head. If you 'bonk' your head too many times, you might go 'bonkers' (crazy).

Quick Quiz

The constant dripping of the faucet is driving me _____!

Correct!

The correct answer is: bonkers

Examples

1

The traffic in the city center today was absolutely bonkers.

everyday

The traffic in the city center today was extremely chaotic and crazy.

2

The committee initially thought the architect's radical vision was slightly bonkers.

formal

The committee initially thought the architect's radical vision was somewhat irrational.

3

Don't listen to him; he's gone completely bonkers since he won the lottery.

informal

Don't listen to him; he has become totally crazy since he won the lottery.

4

While the theory was labeled bonkers by his peers, recent data suggests he was right.

academic

While the theory was called insane by his colleagues, recent data suggests he was right.

5

Our sales figures went bonkers after the celebrity endorsed our product.

business

Our sales figures increased wildly and dramatically after the celebrity endorsement.

Word Family

Adjective
bonkers
Related
madness

Common Collocations

go bonkers to become crazy or extremely excited
drive someone bonkers to annoy or irritate someone very much
absolutely bonkers completely and utterly crazy
stark staring bonkers totally and obviously insane
completely bonkers entirely mad or absurd

Common Phrases

drive me bonkers

to make me feel like I am losing my mind from irritation

stark staring bonkers

an emphatic way to say someone is completely mad

go bonkers

to react with great enthusiasm or to lose one's sanity

Often Confused With

bonkers vs bankers

Bankers are people who work in the banking industry, whereas bonkers means crazy.

bonkers vs bonk

To bonk is a verb meaning to hit something or, in British slang, to have sex.

📝

Usage Notes

Bonkers is primarily a British English term, though it is understood globally. It is very informal and is best used in casual conversation or lighthearted writing rather than serious professional contexts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use it as a noun (e.g., 'he is a bonkers'), but it is an adjective. It is also rarely used before a noun; it almost always follows a linking verb like 'is', 'get', or 'go'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'bonk,' which is the sound of hitting your head. If you 'bonk' your head too many times, you might go 'bonkers' (crazy).

📖

Word Origin

Originating in the mid-20th century, it is likely derived from 'bonk' (a blow to the head), implying that being hit on the head makes one crazy.

Grammar Patterns

Predicative adjective (used after a verb) Non-gradable usually, but often modified by 'completely' or 'absolutely' No comparative or superlative forms
🌍

Cultural Context

The word is a staple of British humor and is frequently used in UK tabloids and sitcoms to describe eccentric behavior.

Quick Quiz

The constant dripping of the faucet is driving me _____!

Correct!

The correct answer is: bonkers

Related Words

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free