noun
Uncommon
vertigo
VUR-tih-goh
Vertigo (noun) means a spinning sensation and loss of balance, often triggered by heights or inner-ear problems. Example: “She gets vertigo whenever she looks down from a tall building.”
noun
1
A spinning sensation and loss of balance, often triggered by heights or inner-ear problems.
"She gets vertigo whenever she looks down from a tall building."
"His vertigo was caused by a minor inner-ear infection."
How to use vertigo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dizzy, spinning feeling, often set off by heights or balance problems.
Common mistake
Vertigo is not simply a fear of heights (that's acrophobia) — it's a genuine physical sensation of spinning or imbalance.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
suffer from vertigo
a bout of vertigo
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Word forms
- Plural
- vertigos, vertigoes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gets _____ whenever she looks down from a tall building.
Etymology
From Latin vertigo, "a whirling", from vertere, "to turn".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for vertigo
See all rhymes for vertigo →Frequently asked questions
What does “vertigo” mean?
The word “vertigo” means a spinning sensation and loss of balance, often triggered by heights or inner-ear problems. In plain terms, a dizzy, spinning feeling, often set off by heights or balance problems.
How do you pronounce “vertigo”?
“Vertigo” is pronounced VUR-tih-goh (/ˈvɝtɪɡoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “vertigo” in a sentence?
Here is “vertigo” used in a sentence: “She gets vertigo whenever she looks down from a tall building.”
What is another word for “vertigo”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vertigo” include dizziness and giddiness.
What part of speech is “vertigo”?
“Vertigo” is a noun.
Where does the word “vertigo” come from?
The word “vertigo” comes from Latin. From Latin vertigo, "a whirling", from vertere, "to turn".
Is “vertigo” a common word?
“Vertigo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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