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
• elated
• elevated
• enrapt
• enraptured
• entranced
• euphoric
• exhilarated
• giddy
• intoxicated
• rapt
• rapturous
• rhapsodic
• rhapsodical

Examples of heady in a Sentence

The plane soared to heady heights.

They were heady with their newfound success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Three pass-first point guards means a trio of heady floor generals to run the offense — and the Pacers can do it in a way that scratches at the Knicks’ weaknesses. —James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025

But just as with the Herrick brothers, all of this heady science requires pioneering patients willing to take the chance and raise their hands despite the unknowns. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

The paradox offers a heady if puzzling thematic conceit for the return of Arcade Fire with their seventh album, Pink Elephant. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 May 2025

In her 2010 interview, Alexander looked back on the heady days of being a soap opera star. —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 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