vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvər-ti-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

a

: a sensation of motion in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily

b

: a dizzy confused state of mind

2

: disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease in lower animals

also : a disease (such as gid) causing this

Examples of vertigo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bayer also advises that the drug may cause drowsiness and vertigo, and recommends that anyone taking the drug to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025

The Deep Temerity area, serviced by a dedicated chairlift, holds a network of vertigo-inducing steeps, glades, and narrow chutes. —Charles Curkin, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025

Before the blackouts, the vertigo, the sniffle, and the cough, Dakota’s childhood in the seaside North Carolina vacation town of Manteo was idyllic. —Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025

Common warning signs include dizziness, vertigo, neck pain or visual disturbances. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin vertigin-, vertigo, from vertere to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing vertigo

• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• benign positional vertigo

Rhymes for vertigo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvərt-i-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

: a sensation in which a person or a person's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily

2

: a confused or bewildered state of mind

Medical Definition

vertigo

noun

ver·​ti·​go ˈvərt-i-ˌgō 

plural vertigoes or vertigos

1

: a sensation of motion which is associated with various disorders (as of the inner ear) and in which the individual or the individual's surroundings seem to whirl dizzily see objective vertigo, subjective vertigo compare dizziness

2

: disordered vertiginous movement as a symptom of disease in lower animals

also : a disease (as gid) causing this