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

Example Sentences

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
That giddy disbelief is what makes March Madness special, setting it apart from every other sporting event. Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023 Levi is as giddy as ever; Mirren delivers the best laugh line; and the product placement in the climax is gleefully unhinged. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023 There are good recollections from various tumblers, stage hands and other below-the-line participants who are actually probably still giddy to have this on their resumés. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2023 This historical record is damning of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s draconian policies, but not in a way giddy lockdown skeptics are likely to welcome on sober reflection. Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, 9 Mar. 2023 In what's now been revealed to be a mock promo, an exuberant-looking Cannon struck a giddy pose in front of two women's silhouettes lit up in purple and the fake show title written in bold yellow with a baby icon playfully dotting the question mark. Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2023 Musical numbers play a role in the merriment, another Brooks staple, although there’s nothing that quite rivals the giddy absurdity of a song-and-dance routine devoted to the Spanish Inquisition. Brian Lowry, CNN, 6 Mar. 2023 Once in the air, anxiety gave way to giddy relief among the passengers. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2023 The game ended with the same energy, Jaquez picking up yet another deflection, laying the ball in to give the Bruins a double-digit lead, and then screaming at thousands of giddy witnesses who screamed back. Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2023
Verb
Grab the Fishy bagel with the whitefish spread and giddy up. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2022 That's when Watters giddied-up onstage to show off his moves which have since gone viral. Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, 25 Feb. 2020 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 Though the Illinois man was lucky enough to giddy up and grab a quick taco, other hungry equestrians have made headlines for being turned away. Janine Puhak, Fox News, 22 May 2018 Many Democrats giddy from their recent health policy successes are starting to reach enthusiastically for a mountaintop goal: establishing a single-payer system for all Americans. Margot Sanger-katz, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2017 These giddying sums are shaking the landscape of pro soccer. Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'giddy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 25 Mar. 2023.

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

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