nut

The word "nut" is a noun. There are a few different kinds of nuts:

This is a nut. It goes onto a bolt or a screw.
This is a nut. It’s a pistachio. Do you like to eat nuts?
This is a nut. He works in an office, and his job has made him go mad.

The word "nutty" is an adjective:

• This has a nutty flavor.
• She’s kind of a nutty person.
• His job is making him nutty.

The word "nut" is found in some common expressions:

• The store sells everything, from soup to nuts. (The store has a wide range of merchandise.)
• It feels like I got kicked in the nuts. (nuts = testicles. Be careful if you say this. It’s kind of vulgar, and only men use it.)
• Aw nuts! (Darn! I’m disappointed.)
• You’re nuts! (You’re wrong.)

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This page was first published on August 15, 2015. It was updated on June 14, 2015.