Vertigo/ˈvɜːrtɪɡəʊ/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Medical Context Used to describe a specific medical condition, not general dizziness. After the boat trip, his severe vertigo required medical attention. Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Serious Vertigo can vary from mild to severe; it's not always an emergency. She felt a brief vertigo stepping off the merry-go-round, but it passed quickly. Pro Tip 3/3Balance Related Vertigo involves a loss of balance or stability, often due to inner ear problems. The doctor said my vertigo is due to an inner ear imbalance.