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

A glossy fashion spread of four junior Wall Streeters has set New York’s banking world aflutter—and not just because of its heady title: “Meet the Finest Boys in Finance.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Then there was the heady time of initial growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

I opted for the classics: onion soup, retro vol-au-vent overflowing with mushrooms and, for dessert, an île flottante heady with vanilla and caramel.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was a heady trophy for a 13-year-old, presented to me at graduation by a rumpled legionnaire in a garrison cap decorated with military pins.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 125 years on, the newly reopened villa still feels overripe in the best way: rich, heady and slightly dangerous.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exciting
• exhilarating
• potent