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Glite Dictionary
swimmy

swimmy

1 8.8
Feeling dizzy and unsteady, as if the world is moving
  • adjective
  • /ˈswɪmi/
  • UK
translation icon : mareado
  • After spinning around several times, I felt swimmy and had to sit down.
  • feel swimmy
  • swimmy head

Examples

  • She sat on the edge of the bathtub until she began to feel swimmy.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Your eyes look terrible - all swimmy.

    This Happy Breed (1944)

  • They make my head all swimmy.

    Falcon Rising (2014)

  • Her head felt swimmy.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Electric shocks traced my hamstrings with each step, and Nikki squeezed me, and I squeezed my eyes against my swimmy head. When we finally reached the stairs to my quarters, I told her I didn't think I could make it.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • When she stood up too quickly, her vision became swimmy for a moment.

  • He complained of a swimmy feeling after the roller coaster ride.

Synonyms

dizzy
vsswimmy
168 1.0

Feeling like the room or world is turning and you may fall

is the spinning feeling but less about falling or faint risk
swirly
vsswimmy
  • Informal
1 6.0

Feeling dizzy as if things are turning around you

is a broader spinning feeling not focused on mild lightheadedness
whirly
vsswimmy
  • Informal
1 8.6

Feeling dizzy and light-headed and unable to think clearly

is the spinning feeling without strong mental confusion
twirly
vsswimmy
1 7.7

Feeling dizzy after spinning or excitement

is general spinning sensation not limited to mild excited cases
aswim
vsswimmy
  • Archaic
9.8

Dizzy and confused in the head

is specifically the spinning or moving feeling rather than pure disorientation

Antonyms

stable
473 2.3

Not likely to change and stays steady over time

clearheaded
1 4.9

Able to think clearly and make good decisions

How Dizzy

faint
38 2.7
swimmy
  • UK
1 8.8
dizzy
168 1.0
giddy
28 3.0
lightheaded
14 4.4

Surface Forms

swimmy positive

Morphology

swimmy = swim (opaque) = swim + y

The word 'swimmy' is derived from 'swim' with the suffix '-y', but the meaning shift to 'feeling dizzy' is not transparent.

Etymology

Swimmy comes from the verb swim plus the ending -y, so it means 'like after swimming' when your head feels full of water and things seem to move around you. That's why swimmy describes feeling dizzy or unsteady.