heady

adjective

ˈhe-dē 

headier; headiest

1

a

: willful, rash

heady opinions

b

: violent, impetuous

2

a

: tending to intoxicate or make giddy or elated

heady wine

being in such distinguished company was a heady experience

b

: giddy, exhilarated

heady with his success

c

: rich

a heady sauce

a heady variety

d

: impressive

a man of heady accomplishments

3

a

: marked by or showing good judgment : shrewd, intelligent

b

: intellectually stimulating or demanding

headily

ˈhe-də-lē 

adverb

headiness

ˈhe-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• ecstatic
• elated
• elevated
• enrapt
• enraptured
• entranced
• euphoric
• exhilarated
• giddy
• intoxicated
• rapt
• rapturous
• rhapsodic
• rhapsodical

Examples of heady in a Sentence

The plane soared to heady heights.

They were heady with their newfound success.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the debate opened, the Assemblée was rowdy and restless, crackling with the heady feeling of history being made. —Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2024

While popping up as Marvel’s Odin in the Thor franchise and as the theme park creator in HBO’s heady sci-fi drama Westworld (2016–2018), the Welsh actor has continued to add to his award shelf. —EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024

Notes of creamy coconut, pink pepper and salt air create a heady fragrance of succulent fruits and tropical flowers. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

The Rutherford Reserve 2020 is made from fruit sourced in Rutherford AVA proffering heady aromas of black currant, black raspberry, forest floor, and cigar box with flavors of black plum, graphite, and a just a touch of finely ground pepper. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

heady

adjective

ˈhed-ē 

headier; headiest

1

: willful sense 1, rash

2

: likely to make one giddy

heady wine

a heady height

headily

ˈhed-ə-lē 

adverb

headiness

ˈhed-ē-nəs 

noun