loon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal for the 'crazy person' meaning; neutral/formal for the bird meaning.
Quick answer
What does “loon” mean?
A large, diving waterbird with a haunting cry, known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage in summer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, diving waterbird with a haunting cry, known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage in summer.
A person who is crazy, foolish, or eccentric; a lunatic. (Informal, often humorous or mildly derogatory).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The bird meaning is primary and identical in both. The 'crazy person' slang is more common in American English than in British English.
Connotations
The 'crazy person' meaning is informal but not typically highly offensive; it can be playful or dismissive. The bird connotes wilderness and solitude.
Frequency
In the UK, 'loony' is more common than 'loon' for a crazy person. In North America, 'loon' for a person is standard informal slang.
Grammar
How to Use “loon” in a Sentence
He is [a/quite a] loon.They heard the loon [verb: call/cry].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in informal contexts: 'The client is a complete loon.'
Academic
Used in biology/ornithology for the bird. Not used for 'person'.
Everyday
Common for the bird in relevant regions (e.g., Canada, northern US). Informal for a foolish person.
Technical
Ornithological term for birds of the family Gaviidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “loon”
- Spelling: confusing 'loon' with 'loom'.
- Using 'loon' in formal writing to mean 'crazy person'.
- Overusing the slang term in British contexts where 'loony' is more idiomatic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to a person, it is informal and mildly derogatory, similar to 'nut' or 'weirdo'. It is not a severe insult but should be avoided in formal or sensitive contexts.
Loons are not ducks. They are a separate family of birds (Gaviidae) with heavier bodies, pointed bills, and legs set far back for diving. Unlike ducks, they are clumsy on land.
It is a shortening of 'lunatic', which comes from the Latin 'luna' (moon), based on the old belief that madness was influenced by the phases of the moon.
Loons breed on freshwater lakes in northern North America, Iceland, Greenland, and northern Eurasia. They winter along coastal waters.
A large, diving waterbird with a haunting cry, known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage in summer.
Loon is usually informal for the 'crazy person' meaning; neutral/formal for the bird meaning. in register.
Loon: in British English it is pronounced /luːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /luːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As crazy as a loon.”
- “Loon on the loose.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A LOON makes a LOON-y cry at the MOON.
Conceptual Metaphor
IRRATIONALITY IS WILDNESS / SANITY IS CIVILIZATION (The 'crazy' loon is as untamed and unpredictable as the wild bird).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'loon' MOST likely to be used in a formal, technical sense?