HEADY (headier, headiest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: headier    , headiest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does heady mean? 

• HEADY (adjective)
  The adjective HEADY has 3 senses:

1. marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

2. extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a narcotic

3. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

  Familiarity information: HEADY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HEADY (adjective)

Comparative: headier   
Superlative: headiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

Synonyms:

heady; judicious; wise

Context example:

a wise decision

Similar:

prudent (careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a narcotic

Synonyms:

heady; intoxicating

Similar:

exciting (creating or arousing excitement)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

Synonyms:

foolhardy; heady; rash; reckless

Context example:

a rash attempt to climb Mount Everest

Similar:

bold (fearless and daring)

Derivation:

head (the front of a military formation or procession)

 Context examples 

I felt younger, lighter, happier in body; within I was conscious of a heady recklessness, a current of disordered sensual images running like a millrace in my fancy, a solution of the bonds of obligation, an unknown but not an innocent freedom of the soul.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

A phrase began to beat in my ears with a sort of heady excitement: "There are only the pursued, the pursuing, the busy and the tired."

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)