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” ( verse ¹ ( def. ) ) + -īgō noun suffix

Example Sentences

Her recovery took time and she had days where she would have sickness and vertigo.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

He asked anyone affected to seek medical attention and listed symptoms from fatigue to vertigo, seizures, confusion, tightness in chest and heart palpitations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 14, 2025

One of his duties as intel officer was to monitor the group’s enemies on the left, which could induce vertigo.

From Salon • Jan. 7, 2025

Due to the crippling vertigo that comes and goes, he doesn’t surf as often as he used to.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

It was a strange and unsettling sight, like he was standing at the edge of the universe, and for a brief moment he was overcome by vertigo, his knees weakening before he steadied himself.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner