giddy

1 of 2

adjective

gid·​dy ˈgi-dē How to pronounce giddy (audio)
giddier; giddiest
1
a
: dizzy
giddy from the unaccustomed exercise
b
: causing dizziness
a giddy height
c
: whirling rapidly
2
a
: lightheartedly silly : frivolous
b
: joyfully elated : euphoric
was giddy with delight
giddily adverb
giddiness noun

giddy

2 of 2

verb

giddied; giddying

intransitive verb

: to become giddy

Examples of giddy in a Sentence

Adjective The news made him positively giddy. He was giddy with delight. The room was filled with giddy laughter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Whether on Facebook or Instagram, patients and clinics alike are giddy about the possibilities. Darius Tahir, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Alice and Jack sigh late in the series, giddy at the spectacle of their own suffering. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Sydney news anchors were downright giddy earlier in the day reporting that Kelce was close. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2024 But the level of giddy in the Golden 1 Center locker room after their 126-121 win over the Kings on Thursday night was high even for them and deservedly so. Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024 But her infectiously giddy stage show is all about joy, not brutalism. Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024 But even the lowest estimates would have been inconceivable in the giddy aftermath of Neil Armstrong’s one small step. Bill Weir, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl:Super Bowl security uses smart Taylor Swift strategy to get giddy pop star from suite to field Samantha Neely of the Daytona Beach News-Journal and Craig Webb of the Akron Beacon Journal contributed to this report. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2024 But Gartman and Tien’s approach to the end of days is refreshingly absurd and giddy with whimsy. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024
Verb
The guests giddied into the night no doubt writing fantasy Christmas lists: a playful pair of ear clips made of amethyst, Ceylon sapphire, and diamonds by JAR or a mighty Cartier emerald-and-diamond necklace? Vogue, 18 Oct. 2019 These giddying sums are shaking the landscape of pro soccer. Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giddy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Middle English gidy mad, foolish, from Old English gydig possessed, mad; akin to Old English god god

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of giddy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near giddy

Cite this Entry

“Giddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giddy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

giddy

adjective
gid·​dy
ˈgid-ē
giddier; giddiest
1
: dizzy
2
: causing dizziness
3
giddily
ˈgid-ᵊl-ē
adverb
giddiness
ˈgid-ē-nəs
noun

Medical Definition

giddy

adjective
gid·​dy ˈgid-ē How to pronounce giddy (audio)
giddier; giddiest
1
: dizzy
2
: affected with gid
giddy sheep
giddiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on giddy

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