vertiginous

adjective

ver·​tig·​i·​nous (ˌ)vər-ˈti-jə-nəs How to pronounce vertiginous (audio)
1
a
: characterized by or suffering from vertigo or dizziness
b
: inclined to frequent and often pointless change : inconstant
2
: causing or tending to cause dizziness
the vertiginous heights
3
: marked by turning : rotary
the vertiginous motion of the earth
vertiginously adverb

Did you know?

It is generally necessary to avoid crowded rooms and the vertiginous influence of the dance, one 19th-century medical work advised. We're not sure what condition this advice was aimed at, but it may well have been "vertigo," a disordered state characterized by whirling dizziness. "Vertiginous," from the Latin vertiginosus, is the adjective form of "vertigo," which in Latin means a turning or whirling action. Both words descend from the Latin verb vertere, meaning "to turn." ("Vertiginous" and "vertigo" are just two of an almost dizzying array of "vertere" offspring, from "adverse" to "vortex.") The "dizzying" sense of "vertiginous" is often used figuratively, as in "vertiginous medical discoveries may drastically change life in the 21st century."

Examples of vertiginous in a Sentence

a 3-D effect that is likely to leave some audience members feeling vertiginous
Recent Examples on the Web He is gifted with vertiginous erudition and witty humor. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The vertiginous silhouette — though difficult to pull off — was so nice, Hüller essentially wore it twice. Leah Dolan, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 At its core, my unease comes from the inescapable notion that the internet has imposed its vertiginous scale on some of the most personal elements of my life. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 As much contrast as there is between Simon’s endearingly genuine voice and Shostakovich’s wry sarcasm, an affinity exists between their adventurous orchestration — bristling percussion, slingshot strings, vertiginous climaxes and crashes. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Fearful of heights, the South Korean photographer was beginning a yearslong body of work that pushed her to her limits, placing herself on top of skyscrapers to shoot vertiginous, stomach-dropping perspectives. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Since then, she’s consistently favored vertiginous heels, from Manolo Blahnik’s classic BB pumps and knee-high Tom Ford peep-toe leather boots to myriad towering styles from her own namesake label. Alex Kessler, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024 Its geography and topography have gifted it with soaring cliff faces ideal for lemon cultivation, vertiginous villages and secluded rocky bays. Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 In the years that followed, the investigation would take vertiginous twists and turns. Shaila Dewan Madeleine Hordinski, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vertiginous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin vertiginosus, from vertigin-, vertigo

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of vertiginous was in 1608

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Dictionary Entries Near vertiginous

Cite this Entry

“Vertiginous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vertiginous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

vertiginous

adjective
ver·​tig·​i·​nous (ˌ)vər-ˈtij-ə-nəs How to pronounce vertiginous (audio)
: of, relating to, characterized by, or affected with vertigo or dizziness
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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