barmiest
|bar-mi-est|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈbɑrmiəst/
🇬🇧
/ˈbɑːmiəst/
(barmy)
yeast froth → crazy
Etymology
Etymology Information
'barmy' originates from English, specifically the word 'barm', where 'barm' meant 'yeast' or 'froth'.
Historical Evolution
'barm' (Middle English 'barm') gave rise to the adjective 'barmy' (formed with the suffix '-y'), which originally referred to being 'full of barm' or frothy and later developed a figurative sense of being foolish or mad.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'full of barm; frothy' or literally 'frothy-headed', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'foolish' or 'crazy'.
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Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
superlative form of 'barmy' — most barmy; extremely foolish, mad, or eccentric.
That was the barmiest idea I've heard all year.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/17 13:02