noun

crackpot

KRAK-pot

noun

Someone seen as eccentric or foolish, especially for holding strange or unfounded beliefs.

"The scientist was dismissed as a crackpot until his theory was later proven."

"Online forums are full of crackpots pushing conspiracy theories."

adjective

Eccentric, impractical, or absurd.

"He came up with another crackpot scheme to get rich quick."

How to Use Crackpot

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word for a person (or their idea) that is wildly eccentric or unsound.

When to use it

Informal and dismissive — used to mock, not a neutral description.

Common pairings

crackpot theory crackpot scheme crackpot idea

more crackpot comparative, crackpots plural, most crackpot superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The scientist was dismissed as a _____ until his theory was later proven.

Probably built from crack (as in "crack-brained") plus pot, likening an unstable mind to a cracked pot.

jackpot