What does spoony mean?
Spoony is an informal adjective describing someone who is intensely enthusiastic, infatuated, or overwhelmed by romantic feeling. It can also refer to conduct that is excessively sentimental, dreamy, or impractical. The expression is naturally emotional and often affectionate: a person may be “spoony over” a partner, a performer, or an idea. Its tone can range from fond and playful to gently mocking, depending on context. Historically, it has been associated especially with North American English and may sound old-fashioned to some contemporary speakers. Although it can describe genuine enthusiasm, it often implies a degree of emotional excess or impracticality. The word is especially useful in informal storytelling, criticism, and nostalgic writing, where it captures the mixture of adoration, excitement, and romantic idealism that more neutral terms do not convey.
adjectiveInformal, excessively sentimental or romantic; or very enthusiastic or infatuated with someone or something.
- Very enthusiastic or infatuated with someone or something.
- Excessively sentimental, romantic, or fond of emotional displays.
- Foolish or impractical in an emotional or romantic way.
"They became instantly spoony after meeting at the festival."
"The whole audience went spoony when the band returned to the stage."
"Her letter was so spoony that he could not decide whether to be touched or amused."
Sometimes all you need to declare your love is the wonderfully imperfect confession: “I’m totally spoony.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of spoony
Spoony is an early-20th-century formation based on spoon with the suffix -y. The word developed in informal North American usage in senses connected with foolishness, strong feeling, and infatuation. Its base word, spoon, continues to belong to a family of English forms including spoonful and spoonbill.
How spoony is actually used
This is an informal and somewhat old-fashioned word. It is often playful rather than seriously critical, though it can suggest excessive sentimentality or romantic impracticality.