Word
giddy
Phoneticsgid·dy, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɪdi/
UK/ɡˈɪdi/
Definition
adj. feeling dizzy or very excited and silly. You might feel this way after spinning in circles or when you are extremely happy about something.
adj. characterised by a sensation of whirling or lightheadedness; also describes a state of frivolous excitement. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'become'.
Examples
“The children felt giddy after spinning around on the grass.”
“She felt giddy with relief after hearing that her family had safely arrived home.”
“The sudden surge in stock prices left investors feeling giddy, though seasoned analysts warned that such rapid growth was likely unsustainable in the long term.”
Examples
simple
“The children felt giddy after spinning around on the grass.”
contextual
“She felt giddy with relief after hearing that her family had safely arrived home.”
complex
“The sudden surge in stock prices left investors feeling giddy, though seasoned analysts warned that such rapid growth was likely unsustainable in the long term.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs such as 'feel', 'look', or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“This is incredible.”
“I am slightly giddy and a little bit dizzy,” he told media after his historic win.” Etymology
The adjective is derived from Middle English gidi, gedy, gydy (“demonically controlled or possessed; crazy, insane; foolish, idiotic, ridiculous, unwise; unsure; (rare) dizzy, shaky; (rare) of an animal: crazed, out of control; a fool”) [and other forms], from Old English gidiġ, gydiġ (“possessed by a demon or spirit, insane, mad”), from Proto-West Germanic gudīg (“ghostly, spirited”, literally “possessed by a god or spirit”), from god (“god”) + -ig, -g (suffix forming adjectives with the senses of being, doing, or having). The English word is analysable as god + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’, forming adjectives). The noun and the verb are derived from the adjective.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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