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 of heady

• ecstatic
• giddy
• euphoric

Examples of heady in a Sentence

The plane soared to heady heights.

They were heady with their newfound success.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Mason Lohrei made a heady play to keep the play alive and sweep it back to Zacha. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026

Previous winners of the award includes a heady mix of some of the brightest lights working today, featuring names such as Tom Holland, Daniel Kaluuya, Emma Mackey, Will Poulter and Kristen Stewart (the last American to win the honor, back in 2009). —Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026

Your 12th House of Healing whispers to your 3rd House of Conversing as the heady Sun squares vulnerable Chiron, showing where old patterns drain energy and where rest restores focus. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2026

As Case continues touring Neon Grey Midnight Green across North America, fellow New Pornographer Dan Bejar will play a solo Destroyer set at select dates, making for a heady counterpart to her untamable presence. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for heady

• ready
• reddi
• steady
• teddy
• thready
• already
• unsteady

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