lightheaded

adjective

light·​head·​ed ˈlīt-ˌhe-dəd How to pronounce lightheaded (audio)
variants or light-headed
1
: experiencing a feeling that one might faint often along with a sensation of dizziness
Unaccustomed to the heat … and the farmer's failure to provide drinking water, I got lightheaded.George Dardess
I am light-headed from the altitude …Tony Ortega
2
: lacking in maturity or seriousness : frivolous
The theories are light-headed enough, but they at least indicate some connection with twentieth-century experience.Louis Menand
lightheadedly adverb
or light-headedly
… when the moral of the story is stated one last time, the tone veers jarringly from solemn to lightheadedly saccharine. Stephen Holden
lightheadedness noun
or light-headedness
He experienced mild light-headedness when the palpitations first started … Fred Morady et al.

Examples of lightheaded in a Sentence

I always get light-headed after riding roller coasters, even when I'm standing still again we couldn't concentrate on our work because we were feeling so light-headed
Recent Examples on the Web After just a few sips, Graves began to feel lightheaded and dizzy, allegedly from a drug that was put in the drink, the complaint claims. Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 Lyles came off the track on a wheelchair at the Stade de France and felt lightheaded and short of breath. Sean Gregory / Saint Denis, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024 At the 2015 world championships in Kazan, Russia, Katie Ledecky started feeling a little weird after dinner one night—hot and lightheaded. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 29 July 2024 In no time, you’ll be drenched from head to toe and dangerously lightheaded—the classic runner’s high! Graeme Carey, The New Yorker, 10 July 2024 Even after the acute illness had passed, many symptoms remained: Dara struggled to sit up for more than half an hour, was too breathless and lightheaded to walk even short distances, and had severe brain fog that left her unable to hold a conversation or write an email. Katie Bach, ludmila N. Praslova, beth Pollack, Harvard Business Review, 7 May 2024 Common signs include a dry, sticky mouth, decreased urination or dark colored urine, unexplained tiredness, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, Hartford Courant, 3 July 2024 If feeling lightheaded or dizzy, simply stop and rest. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 22 June 2024 Teo’s heart clenched, the sudden gesture leaving him lightheaded. Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lightheaded was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lightheaded

Cite this Entry

“Lightheaded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightheaded. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

light-headed

adjective
light-head·​ed
-ˈhed-əd
1
: feeling confused or dizzy
2
: not showing maturity or seriousness : frivolous
light-headedness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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