lightheaded

American  

[lahyt-hed-id] / ˈlaɪtˈhɛd ɪd /

adjective

1. giddy, dizzy, or delirious.

   After two drinks Pat began to feel lightheaded.

2. having or showing a frivolous or volatile disposition; thoughtless.

   lightheaded persons.

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Other Word Forms

• lightheadedly adverb
• lightheadedness noun

Etymology

Origin of lightheaded

First recorded in 1530–40; light ² + head + -ed ³

Explanation

If you're lightheaded, you're dizzy and faint, and you might need to sit down for a minute. The sight of enormous spiders makes some people feel lightheaded. Standing up quickly can make you lightheaded, and you can also make yourself lightheaded by forgetting to eat lunch or blowing up a huge balloon with one breath. Being lightheaded, while usually not a serious condition, is typically caused by a temporary shortage of oxygen or blood getting to the brain. The word dates from the sixteenth century.

Example Sentences

This was why I’d been feeling so lightheaded, and it was the cause of my hoarseness.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

If at any point you feel lightheaded or dizzy, stop immediately and check in with a health care provider.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

Symptoms can include: chest pain; tightness or pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach; feeling dizzy or lightheaded; feeling tired or out of breath; nausea, and feeling sweaty or clammy.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2024

“We ended up running into people, especially closer to the wells, saying they felt lightheaded or smelled something,” Aguirre said.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2023

And so it was that when Old Chao phoned, Theresa was lightheaded with fatigue.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen