French word

vertigineux

Pronunciation

IPA/vɛʁtiʒinø/

Meaning

  • adjectivedizzying

Example

Le prix était vertigineux.

The price was dizzying.

Illustration for vertigineux (dizzying)

More examples

Le concert a connu un succès vertigineux.

The concert enjoyed staggering success.

Core concept

An extreme height, amount, or intensity that seems to make the head spin.

Common phrases

  • prix vertigineux

    staggering price

  • coût vertigineux

    staggering cost

  • succès vertigineux

    staggering success

Similar words

élevé: Exceeding the normal standard or level.
énorme: Remarkably great in size or quantity, causing astonishment.
exorbitant: Unreasonably high in price or cost, beyond what seems acceptable.
astronomique: Enormous in numerical value or cost, far beyond normal expectations.

Definition in French

Qui évoque une impression de vertige par son intensité ; employé pour désigner quelque chose d'extrêmement élevé ou impressionnant.

Word origin

Vertigineux is formed from French vertige with the adjective suffix -eux; vertige comes from Latin vertigo, meaning a whirling sensation.

Usage tips

  • Vertigineux usually describes an external height, amount, or intensity, while physical dizziness is expressed with avoir le vertige.

Other meanings

  • staggeringadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • vertigedizzinessnoun
  • vertigineusementstaggeringlyadverb

Word lists with this word