dizzying

[ diz-ee-ing ]

/ ˈdɪz i ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dizzying ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

making or tending to make one dizzy: The tower rose to dizzying heights.

Nearby words

Origin of dizzying

First recorded in 1795–1805; dizzy + -ing²

Related formsdiz·zy·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for dizzying (2 of 2)

dizzy

[ diz-ee ]

/ ˈdɪz i /

adjective, diz·zi·er, diz·zi·est.

having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall; giddy; vertiginous.

bewildered; confused.

causing giddiness or confusion: a dizzy height.

heedless; thoughtless.

Informal. foolish; silly.

verb (used with object), diz·zied, diz·zy·ing.

to make dizzy.

Origin of dizzy

before 900; Middle English dysy, Old English dysig foolish; cognate with Low German düsig stupefied

Related formsdiz·zi·ly, adverbdiz·zi·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dizzying

Despite a dizzying number of women coming forward against her husband, Camille Cosby refuses to sharpen her blade of vengeance.
Why Didn’t Camille Dump Bill Cosby?|Amanda Marcotte|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In between, The Dude is sometimes helped, but mostly hindered, by a dizzying array of quirky characters.
Dudes and Maudes Abide at New York City Lebowski Fest|Rich Goldstein|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a dizzying time, and Shaquille handled an array of new situations with conspicuous aplomb.
Shaq, Year One|Charles P. Pierce|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Francis is, of course, the recipient of a dizzying number of invitations.
Obama Goes to Rome Hoping to Tap Some of Pope Francis’ Popularity|Barbie Latza Nadeau|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The drug- and alcohol-fueled excesses build to a dizzying climax that leaves you reeling.
The Movie ‘Filth’ Is Fun!|Nico Hines|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As for Larry, a dizzying, throbbing emotion permeated his whole astonished being.
Children of the Whirlwind|Leroy Scott
Edith went to her room that night with a mind whirling in dizzying circles, whose motion she could not check.
Wayside Courtships|Hamlin Garland
He stood motionless, amid the dizzying memories of her glance, her gestures, the softness of her body.
The Roll-Call|Arnold Bennett
The image of the rocks and the mine swung with a dizzying sweep as De Boer turned about.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, October, 1930|Various
Others were below, reached from the road by means of ladders, that trembled and swayed over the dizzying waterfall.
King--of the Khyber Rifles|Talbot Mundy

British Dictionary definitions for dizzying

dizzy

/ (ˈdɪzɪ) /

adjective -zier or -ziest

affected with a whirling or reeling sensation; giddy

mentally confused or bewildered

causing or tending to cause vertigo or bewilderment

informal foolish or flighty

verb -zies, -zying or -zied

(tr) to make dizzy

Derived Formsdizzily, adverbdizziness, noun

Word Origin for dizzy

Old English dysig silly; related to Old High German tusīg weak, Old Norse dos quiet

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dizzying (1 of 2)

dizzy

adj.

Old English dysig "foolish, stupid," from Proto-Germanic *dusijaz (cf. Low German düsig "dizzy," Dutch duizelen "to be dizzy," Old High German dusig "foolish," German Tor "fool," Old English dwæs, Dutch dwaas "foolish"), perhaps from PIE *dheu- (1) "dust, vapor, smoke; to rise in a cloud" (and related notions of "defective perception or wits").

Meaning "having a whirling sensation" is from mid-14c.; that of "giddy" is from c.1500 and seems to merge the two earlier meanings. Used of the "foolish virgins" in early translations of Matthew xxv; used especially of blondes since 1870s. Related: Dizzily.

Word Origin and History for dizzying (1 of 2)

dizzy

Old English dysigan, from source of dizzy (adj.). Related: Dizzied; dizzying.

dizzying

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of dizzying

Definition for dizzying (2 of 2)

dizzy

adjective, diz·zi·er, diz·zi·est.

verb (used with object), diz·zied, diz·zy·ing.

Origin of dizzy

Examples from the Web for dizzying

British Dictionary definitions for dizzying

dizzy

adjective -zier or -ziest

verb -zies, -zying or -zied

Word Origin for dizzy

Word Origin and History for dizzying (1 of 2)

dizzy

Word Origin and History for dizzying (1 of 2)

dizzy