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

Tony's Pizza Napoletana delivers a heady variety of regional styles in addition to its namesake Neapolitan (chef-owner Tony Gemignani's Neapolitan Margherita helped jump-start his career). — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

She’s also lost in the memories of her heady youth, spent reclining in the sun and talking of politics and social concerns with various friends, lovers, and would-be suitors. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Per tradition, most of the buzz around the ceremony is heady anticipation for the announcement of the People’s Choice Award winner. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026

That was about the energy, the atmosphere, a build-up to an obvious desire to return to such a heady state and an illustrious stage. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 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