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

In an emotional retelling, Foxx remembers being dizzy, frustrated, and stubbornly resistant to both physical and mental therapy. —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024

Angela went to a hospital three times before her death after becoming faint and dizzy, according to the arrest affidavit. —Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

Loading pattern on pattern — a holiday-season design don’t for most — is for her an opportunity to dizzy us down to hell. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024

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

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