vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvər-ti-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

a

: a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily

b

: a dizzy confused state of mind

2

: disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease in lower animals

also : a disease (such as gid) causing this

Examples of vertigo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pain or headache can come with an inner ear infection, but inflammation deep in the ear usually causes symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or vertigo. —Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

All three were found to be substantially disabled by issues that can be caused by traumatic brain injury, like vertigo, headaches, anxiety and sleep apnea. —Dave Philipps, New York Times, 2 May 2024

Back in 2020, Jessie shared a series of videos to Instagram Stories about being hospitalized for Meniere's disease — an inner-ear condition that can cause vertigo — which left her deaf in one ear and unable to walk properly. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 July 2024

Later, that spinning motif repeats to connect the dizzying heights the bandits reach and the vertigo of their impending downfall. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin vertigin-, vertigo, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing vertigo

• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• benign positional vertigo

Kids Definition

vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvərt-i-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

: a sensation in which a person or a person's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily

2

: a confused or bewildered state of mind

Medical Definition

vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvərt-i-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

: a sensation of motion which is associated with various disorders (as of the inner ear) and in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily see objective vertigo, subjective vertigo compare dizziness

2

: disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease in lower animals

also : a disease (as gid) causing this