heady

1 of 2

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

headiness

2 of 2

noun

head·​i·​ness -dēnə̇s 

-din-

plural -es

1

: rashness, headstrongness

headiness of youth

2

: intoxicating quality

the headiness of a spring morning

a perfume with a headiness impossible to describe

Synonyms of heady

Adjective

• ecstatic
• giddy
• euphoric

Examples of heady in a Sentence

Adjective

The plane soared to heady heights.

They were heady with their newfound success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Steve Svekis Is Dolphins 2026 draft headed for heady territory? — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Gently reheat the kari before guests arrive, letting the warm, heady spices fill your home before everyone gathers around the table. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

Maybe our professors—maybe even Stockhausen himself—could see that James was approaching this heady territory in his own way. — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026

The 24-ounce rib eye emerged the favorite, its generous marbling gripping the rum’s sweetness and the heady spices. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hedinesse, from hedy heady + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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