What does harebrained mean?
Harebrained describes a person, plan, or action as foolish, thoughtless, or recklessly impulsive. It typically suggests that someone has acted without adequate judgment or consideration of practical consequences, as in “a harebrained scheme” or “harebrained antics.” The word can be seriously disapproving when describing a dangerous or costly mistake, but it may also be humorous when applied to a harmless, eccentric adventure. Its imagery is distinctive: it combines the hare, long associated in folklore and idiom with folly and frantic behavior, with the idea of having brains. Although the term is informal and emotionally colored, it is widely understood in formal and literary English as well. Harebrained is especially useful when an adjective is needed for both intellectual foolishness and impulsive action, capturing a mixture of silliness, poor planning, and disregard for consequences.
adjectiveFoolish, silly, or characterized by thoughtless and impulsive behavior.
- Foolish or thoughtlessly impulsive, often in a way that is amusing or impractical.
"They abandoned the harebrained scheme after realizing how impractical it was."
"His harebrained attempt to repair the clock made everything considerably worse."
"Rather than risk a harebrained expedition, they waited for more reliable equipment."
Harebrained literally pictures a hare with a brain—a humorous image rooted in the hare's traditional reputation for foolishness and frenzy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does harebrained come from?
Harebrained was formed in the early 17th century from the words “hare” and “brain,” with the suffix “-ed.” The expression draws on the traditional association of hares with folly, frenzy, and unpredictability, using the animal as a humorous emblem of an unsound mind. Its development reflects the older use of compound adjectives ending in “-ed,” such as “hare-brained,” to characterize a person or action.
How harebrained is actually used
This is an informal, mildly disparaging term. It can be seriously condemnatory, as in “a harebrained decision,” or playful, as in “a harebrained adventure.” Formal writing often prefers “foolish,” “reckless,” or “ill-judged.”