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

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

"I see you," he says repeatedly, identifying uber-fans at the front and distant figures in the vertigo seats.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2025

“Maybe it reflected back the chaos, the ambiguity, the vertigo of living.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 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

In my opinion, she enjoyed the attic because the vertigo of living up there reminded her of Mount Olympus.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides