Gaga

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɑːɡɑː/

Definitions

1. exhibiting intense and irrational excitement or infatuation
2. Showing an extreme level of enthusiasm or affection ; appearing mentally impaired or exhibiting signs of senility
3. Displaying an excessive enthusiasm or fixation on something or someone ; behaving in a way that indicates diminished mental clarity

Etymology: The adjective "gaga", meaning wildly enthusiastic or infatuated, was borrowed from French, where "gaga" was already a word for a foolish, doting person. The French term is an informal, childish-sounding word, and its sense of being besotted or senile carried over into English with it. English speakers took the word in the sense of being infatuated, so that someone could be "gaga" over a film, a band or a person. The French source is "gaga," which has long been used in everyday speech to mean silly, doddering or infatuated. Its echoing, nursery-style form is typical of words that imitate baby talk, and French adopted it that way, giving English a playful term for enthusiasm that tips into foolishness.

Synonyms: foolish, silly, crazy, obsessed, infatuated

Antonyms: sensible, rational, practical, level-headed, wise