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

• 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

Back in those heady smart-home days of 2013/14, and in many previous waves before that, we were promised a smarter world: intelligent homes, effortless automation and seamless integration. —Charles Radclyffe, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025

This heady pick is grounded in pink pepper and sugar, laced with cashmere, and dries down to a soft vanilla-sandalwood base. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 15 July 2025

The pair bumble and fumble through the early, heady days of attraction and connection, while each also struggles in their professional lives. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 July 2025

Set in San Francisco in the early 1990s, this coming-of-age novel shines with a heady, nostalgic glow while never ignoring reality. —Connie Ogle, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025

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