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

Anyone who suffers from vertigo or any kind of fear of heights should be well-advised to watch with caution, and personally there were times the film made me, a minor acrophobic, feel the need to avert my eyes and search my purse for some Rescue Remedy. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

When she was struck with bouts of vertigo and eventually temporary vision loss, the doctor determined the correct diagnosis. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026

Kimberly Ward, 56, has primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which affects her mobility and her partner, Kimberly Perssonatti, 49, has relapsing remitting MS that affects her cognitively regarding recall and comes with visual issues, vertigo and temperature regulation. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

He was treated for vertigo, migraines, loss of vision and trouble with memory and concentration. —Scott Pelley, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for vertigo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

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