dizzy

1 of 2

adjective

diz·​zy ˈdi-zē 

dizzier; dizziest

1

: foolish, silly

2

a

: having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall

b

: mentally confused

3

a

: causing giddiness or mental confusion

dizzy heights

b

: caused by or marked by giddiness

c

: extremely rapid

prices climbing at a dizzy rate

dizzily

ˈdi-zə-lē 

adverb

dizziness

ˈdi-zē-nəs 

noun

dizzy

2 of 2

verb

dizzied; dizzying

transitive verb

1

: to make dizzy or giddy

2

: bewilder

disasters that dizzy the mind

dizzyingly

ˈdi-zē-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• aswoon
• giddy
• light-headed
• reeling
• swimmy
• vertiginous
• whirling
• woozy

Examples of dizzy in a Sentence

Adjective

The children were dizzy after spinning in circles.

I'm feeling a bit weak and dizzy. I think I'm having a dizzy spell.

Complex math problems make me dizzy.

looking down from dizzy heights

Prices rose at a dizzy rate.

the dizzy pace of our lives

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Angela Craig had reported feeling dizzy and weak but doctors could not determine the cause. —CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

Being disoriented, being dizzy, but the little things like just sitting in a hard chair. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024

Verb

When the meteor shower peaks in activity, observers should have the chance to see shooting stars whizzing across the sky at dizzying speeds of about 44 miles per second. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024

The ones that will remain for now, according to The Verge: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls, You vs. Wild, and Bandersnatch, which pushed the format to dizzying complexity in 2019. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English disy, from Old English dysig stupid; akin to Old High German tusig stupid

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dizzy

adjective

diz·​zy

ˈdiz-ē

dizzier; dizziest

1

a

: having a feeling of whirling

b

: mentally confused

2

a

: causing or caused by a whirling sensation

dizzy heights

b

: extremely rapid

prices climbing at a dizzy rate

dizzily

ˈdiz-ə-lē

adverb

dizziness

ˈdiz-ē-nəs

noun

Medical Definition

dizzy

adjective

diz·​zy ˈdiz-ē 

dizzier; dizziest

1

: having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall

2

: mentally confused

dizzily

ˈdiz-ə-lē 

adverb