heady

[ hed-ee ]

adjective

, head·i·er, head·i·est.

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.

heady

/ ˈhɛdɪ /

adjective

1. (of alcoholic drink) intoxicating
2. strongly affecting the mind or senses; extremely exciting
3. rash; impetuous

Derived Forms

• ˈheadiness, noun
• ˈheadily, adverb

Other Words From

• headi·ly adverb
• headi·ness noun
• over·headi·ness noun
• over·heady adjective
• un·heady adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heady¹

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

Example Sentences

His breakout role in a popular soap opera titled “Love and Truth” in 1984 led to a heady career as a national heartthrob.

From Los Angeles Times

If that same heady feeling is in the air come the business end on Saturday, it will be easier to peel another big scalp.

From BBC

“Our guys are very heady, very hungry for a championship, a parade,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

It's a movement that imagines itself to be intellectually heady, replete with allusions to ancient writers and philosophers that mostly go unread.

From Salon

Many of those shareholders are Trump supporters who began purchasing shares of Digital World during the heady months following the merger announcement in October 2021.

From Salon

Related Words

• exciting
• exhilarating
• potent