Dictionary

gone-zo en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈɡɑnzoʊ/ (US)
• /ˈɡɒnzəʊ/ (UK)
• gŏnʹzō
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Alteration of gone, likely influenced by gonzo; connection with -o and with dunzo a.k.a. donezo seems apparent, but the timing and direction of influence is unclear.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, slang) Gone, departed, absent
   • Once again, he was pretty quick to take down a doughnut, and then, faster than you could wipe the last few crumbs of a French cruller off your upper lip, Alfredo was gone-zo. 2015 June 16, Aziz Ansari, Eric Klinenberg, Modern Romance, Penguin, →ISBN:
   • “Wayne, are you doing the speed limit?” “Of course. Don't you worry about that. You'll thank me later.” “Oh, you idiot. Everybody knows the real speed limit is ten above. By the time we get to the Mountain Flea, my sign will be gone-zo.” 2021 March 28, Janine Brito, “Dance Dance Resolution” (5:35 from the start), in Bless the Harts, season 2, episode 15, spoken by Betty Hart (Maya Rudolph):
2. (not-comparable, slang) Dead or otherwise finished.
   • Dead as a polished stone. I stand over it, red-faced, sweaty, deshabilled, murderous. There is a period of panting. Watching. Satisfied that the device is gone-zo, I lie down on the spot, and curl up. 2019 February 5, Peter Mendelsund, Same Same: A Novel, Vintage, →ISBN, page 208:
   • From now on, Harley Quinn is no more. She is gone-zo. Kaput. Done-ski. 2017 June 13, Brian Buccellato, Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Vol. 3, DC Comics, →ISBN:
3. (not-comparable, slang) In a fugue state, for example due to mental illness or intoxication.
   • "You ask me," Jason says, "the girl has lost her facilities. Gone-zo!" 2009, Marley Gibson, The Guidance, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, →ISBN, page 203:
   • She didn't go mindless. She kept logic around to look over the proceedings, which was never as good for her or the people she was with, but in this situation, she didn't have much choice. It didn't seem to matter - Sean was gone-zo. 2014 April 1, Willow Summers, Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2), K.F. Breene, →ISBN:
   • "She has flipped out," whispered Vicki. "You were right, Mrs. Shevvington. Christina is gone-zo." 2012 August 7, Caroline B. Cooney, Fire, Open Road Media, →ISBN:

Forms