Definition of woozy

The word "woozy" has its origins in the early 18th century in England. It is derived from the Old English word "wōzigan," which means "to faint or swoon." The term originally described a feeling of dizziness or faintness, often caused by illness, fever, or excessive heat. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the word "woozy" was commonly used to describe the symptoms of a patient who was about to faint or had just fainted. Over time, the meaning of "woozy" expanded to include a sense of feeling unsteady or disoriented, often due to intoxication, exhaustion, or a sense of instability. Today, "woozy" is a widely used adjective to describe a range of feelings from mild dizziness to a sense of overall unsteadiness. Despite its evolution, the word remains rooted in its original meaning, evoking the idea of a loss of balance or equilibrium.