First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1heavy
adjective \ˈhe-vē\
: having great weight : difficult to lift or move
: large in size and weight
: having a particular weight
heavi·erheavi·est
Full Definition of HEAVY
1
a : having great weight; also : characterized by mass or weight <how heavy is it?> b : having a high specific gravity : having great weight in proportion to bulk c (1) of an isotope : having or being atoms of greater than normal mass for that element (2) of a compound : containing heavy isotopes
2
: hard to bear; specifically : grievous, afflictive <a heavy sorrow>
3
: of weighty import : serious <heavy consequences>
5
6
7
: dulled with weariness : drowsy
8
: greater in quantity or quality than the average of its kind or class: as a : of unusually large size or amount <a heavy turnout> <heavy traffic> b : of great force <heavy seas> c : threatening to rain or snow d (1) : impeding motion (2) : full of clay and inclined to hold water e : coming as if from a depth : loud <heavy breathing> f : thick, coarse <heavy syrup> g : oppressive <a heavy odor> <heavy weather> <rule with a heavy hand> h : steep, acute i : laborious, difficult <heavy going> j : immoderate <a heavy smoker> k : more powerful than usual for its kind <a heavy cavalry> <a heavy cruiser> l : of large capacity or output
9
a : very rich and hard to digest <heavy desserts> b : not properly raised or leavened <heavy bread>
10
: producing goods (as coal, steel, or chemicals) used in the production of other goods <heavy industry>
11
a : having stress <a heavy rhythm> —used especially of syllables in accentual verse b : being the strongest degree of stress in speech
12
: relating to theatrical parts of a grave or somber nature
13
: long 9 <heavy on ideas>
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Origin of HEAVY
Middle English hevy, from Old English hefig; akin to Old High German hebīc heavy, Old English hebban to lift — more at heave
Synonym Discussion of HEAVY
heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome mean having great weight. heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class <a heavy child for his age>. weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight <a load of weighty boxes>. ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia <ponderous elephants in a circus parade>. cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating <wrestled with the cumbrous furniture> <early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient>.
2heavy
adverb
: in a heavy way
Full Definition of HEAVY
: in a heavy manner : heavily
See heavy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HEAVY
before 12th century
Rhymes with HEAVY
3heavy
noun
: a bad person in a movie or play
: a person or thing that is serious, important, or powerful
plural heav·ies
Full Definition of HEAVY
1
: heavyweight 2
2
See heavy defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HEAVY
1897
Related to HEAVY
- Synonyms
- baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, villain, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch
- Antonyms
- lightweight, nobody, nonentity, nothing, shrimp, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch
HEAVY Defined for Kids
heavy
adjective \ˈhe-vē\
heavi·erheavi·est
Definition of HEAVY for Kids
1
: having great weight
2
: unusually great in amount, force, or effect <heavy rain> <heavy sleep> <heavy damage>
3
: made with thick strong material <heavy rope>
4
: dense and thick <heavy eyebrows>
5
: hard to put up with <a heavy responsibility>
6
: sad or troubled <It's with a heavy heart that I leave you.>
7
: having little strength or energy <My legs grew heavier with every step.>
— heavi·ness noun
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