Skip to main content
giddy

giddy

12 4.4
Acting silly and playful without being serious
  • adjective
  • /ˈɡɪdi/
  • Informal
translation icon : frívolo
  • On the landing, I ran into a group of giddy secretaries.
  • giddy laughter
  • get giddy
  • too giddy

It wasn't deep, giddy, childlike, make your sides hurt laughter.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • But they all seemed to want this freedom, this giddy chaos.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Cee Cee loved the way the kid was starting to learn to be silly, giddy, and childlike.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You people are a little too giddy from all your gifts from the President.

    Blog text (18)
  • I think I would prefer a roll in the hay, but the whole thing makes me giddy.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • OK, here's why we're all like little pre-K giddy kids over this.

  • He's friendly, almost giddy, laughing easily at my jokes, even those at his expense.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Sometimes there are celebrities who make me feel like a giddy 16-year-old trapped in a 24-year-old's body.

    Blog text (2)
  • Donald Gennaro, who has become increasingly friendly with Hammond, even giddy, grins from ear to ear.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • She's singing "Sleigh Ride" and doing all the sound effects and clip-clops and giddy-ups.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • At the party, the children were giddy with excitement as they opened their presents.

Synonyms

silly
vsgiddy
976 1.0

Not sensible and often a little foolish

is lighter and more playful, not mainly defined by foolishness
dizzy
vsgiddy
  • Informal
12 3.9

Someone who is silly and not very serious

is more about playful, carefree behaviour than mere scatterbrained foolishness
giggly
vsgiddy
6 2.9

Often laughing in a light, silly way when nervous or amused

covers general playful behaviour beyond just laughing responses
empty-headed
vsgiddy
  • Offensive
3 6.3

Silly, not very intelligent and not serious

is about playful, light behaviour rather than primarily lacking intelligence
rollicking
vsgiddy
2 6.0

Lively and full of fun, making people laugh

is lighter and more frivolous rather than strongly energetic and exuberant
light-headed
vsgiddy
  • Informal
1 5.0

Being silly and not serious in behavior

is more playful and intentionally light than simple mental unsteadiness
dappy
vsgiddy
  • UK
1 9.9

Feeling silly and cheerful in a light, slightly confused way

is milder, focusing on playful lightness rather than excess cheerfulness
airheaded
vsgiddy
  • Offensive
1 7.9

Not thinking carefully and often acting silly

is more playful and carefree, not necessarily showing low intelligence
larky
vsgiddy
  • UK
7.4

Playful and silly in a way that makes people laugh

is similar but emphasizes light-hearted carelessness rather than pure joking
featherbrained
vsgiddy
  • Offensive
8.3

Not serious and likely to make bad choices

leans more toward playful lightness rather than clear poor judgment

Antonyms

452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

44 4.6

Serious and sensible in behavior or tone

Compounds

giddy limit
  • Informal
1 9.9

A very strong feeling of excitement or dizziness

How Silly

childish
141 2.8
silly
976 1.0
giddy
  • Informal
12 4.4
playful
79 1.6
light-hearted
11 3.5

Surface Forms

giddy positive
giddier comparative
giddiest superlative

Etymology

Giddy comes from an old English word gidig meaning 'mad' or 'foolish'. So, when giddy means 'not serious' or playful, imagine someone acting a little 'mad' in a silly, light-hearted way.