heady

[hed-ee]

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.

heady

/ ˈhɛdɪ /

adjective

1. (of alcoholic drink) intoxicating

2. strongly affecting the mind or senses; extremely exciting

3. rash; impetuous

Other Word Forms

• headily adverb
• headiness noun
• overheadiness noun
• overheady adjective
• unheady 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

Investors appear to be opting to take profits after the spell of heady gains.

Read more on Barron's

It’s heady stuff for a firm that didn’t even exist a decade ago.

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"I think that youth and arrogance is a heady mixture," Pellow said.

Read more on BBC

Of the heady air of the era, Ms. Eisner remarks: “She inhaled, but not much.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In these heady times, stupidity isn’t getting punished by markets any more than fraud.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exciting 
• exhilarating 
• potent