What does screwy mean?
Screwy is an informal adjective for something that seems eccentric, irrational, deceptive, or unreliable. In conversation, a person may be called screwy when their behavior or ideas appear strange, while a deal, excuse, or arrangement may be described as screwy when it seems devious or unfair. The word can also characterize machinery or a system that is malfunctioning or behaving unpredictably. Its tone is generally dismissive rather than medical or technical, and it is more common in casual English than in formal writing. Because “screwy” can combine several closely related negative ideas, context determines whether it primarily conveys strangeness, unfairness, or distrustworthiness. It is especially familiar in North American English but is also understood more widely.
adjectiveInformally, eccentric, irrational, or behaving in an unusual way. It can also describe something unreliable, devious, or unfairly arranged.
- Eccentric, irrational, or behaving strangely.
- Deceptive, devious, or unfairly arranged.
- Unreliable or not working properly.
"We rejected the proposal because the financing plan was far too screwy to trust."
"What a screwy idea—giving away the tickets and then charging for them."
"The old engine has started running in a thoroughly screwy manner."
"Their excuses sounded increasingly screwy, so nobody believed them."
Sometimes a job is merely difficult; calling it “screwy” suggests that something about the situation is irrational, deceptive, or suspiciously unreliable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does screwy come from?
Screwy was formed by adding the suffix “-y” to “screw,” with the suffix contributing a sense of something peculiar, troublesome, or suspect. The word is a later informal formation, and its meaning expanded beyond the older sense of “screw” to include ideas of eccentricity and unreliability. Its related vocabulary includes “screw,” “screwdriver,” and “unscrew.”
Related word forms
How screwy is actually used
This is an informal and somewhat dismissive word. It is common in speech and casual writing but unsuitable for formal or highly neutral contexts. Its meaning shifts with context and may suggest madness, unfairness, deception, or mechanical unreliability.
Easily confused with screwy
“Screwed” can mean ruined, mishandled, or in informal use deceived, whereas “screwy” describes something eccentric, unreliable, or unfair.