GONZO Definition & Meaning

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gonzo

[ gon-zoh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

(of journalism, reportage, etc.) filled with bizarre or subjective ideas, commentary, or the like.
crazy; eccentric.

noun

eccentricity, weirdness, or craziness.

gonzo

/ ˈɡɒ�Գ�əʊ /

adjective

wild or crazy
(of journalism) explicitly including the writer's feelings at the time of witnessing the events or undergoing the experiences written about

noun

a wild or crazy person

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of gonzo¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1970–75; apparently from the phrase Gonzo journalism used by U.S. journalist Hunter S. Thompson (1939–2005); perhaps from Italian: “simpleton, one easily duped” (of uncertain origin) or from Spanish ganso “a lazy or dull person,” literally, “goose” (from Germanic; goose )

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of gonzo¹

C20: perhaps from Italian, literally: fool, or Spanish ganso idiot, bumpkin (literally: goose)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Montiel’s insistence on humanity, even in this kind of gonzo genre flick, develops into his thesis statement.

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As gonzo journalist Hunter Thompson quipped in 1988, “Yesterday’s weirdness is tomorrow’s reason why.”

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Perhaps not when the options include Fargeat’s gonzo work on “The Substance” and RaMell Ross’ expressionistic approach to “Nickel Boys,” a movie that feels like the most-directed film of the year.

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His reputation as a president conversant in rocker counterculture, though, was noticed by the era’s preeminent gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson.

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Occasionally, the look goes gonzo for viewers watching the movie in 3D.

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