heady

American  

[hed-ee] / ˈhɛd i /

adjective

headier, headiest

1. intoxicating.

   a heady wine.

2. affecting the mind or senses greatly.

   heady perfume.

3. exciting; exhilarating.

   the heady news of victory.

   Synonyms:

   stirring, thrilling

   Antonyms:

   disappointing, depressing

4. rashly impetuous.

   heady conduct.

5. violent; destructive.

   heady winds.

6. clever; shrewd.

   a heady scheme to win the election.

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heady British  

/ ˈhɛdɪ /

adjective

1. (of alcoholic drink) intoxicating

2. strongly affecting the mind or senses; extremely exciting

3. rash; impetuous

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Other Word Forms

• headily adverb
• headiness noun
• overheadiness noun
• overheady adjective
• unheady adjective

Etymology

Origin of heady

First recorded in 1350–1400, heady is from the Middle English word hevedy, hedy. See head, -y ¹

Example Sentences

The heady early years at Apple, wartime endurance in Britain, Motown’s hidden genius and more of the month’s best nonfiction.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ultimately, though, Galsworthy’s question is much simpler than such a heady proposition.

From Salon

Given the frequently heady subject matter, it can’t be emphasized enough how unfailingly pretty the record is.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reform has definitely moved into a different era from their heady ascent in the polls last year, grappling with more scrutiny, as we reported on in our documentary, Reform: Ready to Rule?

From BBC

This is the type of movie that serves as an amuse-bouche to proper, headier dramas for the PG-13 crowd, and its bespoke accessibility is thoroughly appealing.

From Salon

Related Words

• exciting
• exhilarating
• potent