vertigo

American  

[vur-ti-goh] / ˈvɜr tɪˌgoʊ /

noun

Pathology.

plural

vertigoes, vertigines

1. a dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in tilting or spinning surroundings.

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vertigo British  

/ ˈvɜːtɪˌɡəʊ /

noun

1. pathol a sensation of dizziness or abnormal motion resulting from a disorder of the sense of balance

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Etymology

Origin of vertigo

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin vertīgō “a turning or whirling round,” equivalent to vert(ere) “to turn” ( cf. verse ¹ ( def. )) + -īgō noun suffix

Explanation

If you're standing still but the room is inexplicably spinning, you might want to let someone know you're suffering from vertigo — the sensation of dizziness or whirling. Contrary to popular belief, vertigo is not exactly the same thing as acrophobia, the fear of heights. However, acrophobia can result in the symptoms associated with vertigo. Interestingly, when legendary director Alfred Hitchcock created a film about a detective with an intense fear of heights, he named the film Vertigo, not Acrophobia; perhaps he thought Vertigo was catchier.

Example Sentences

Vertigo and dizziness account for about one in 30 emergency-room visits, according to research at Northwestern University.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The black-and-white smiley motif of the Vertigo, an events space, sat right next to her face, just happy to be there, it seemed, above a painted sign that says “Ready to Party?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is still second on the albums chart, with popstar Griff making a new entry at number three, with debut album Vertigo.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2024

An email seeking comment was sent to Vertigo Air Taxi, which on its website says it provides “an air taxi service to anywhere in Alaska and wilderness adventures in Kodiak and the surrounding areas.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

Vertigo washed over her as she stared upward at the pale towers, so far above.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin