heap

American  

[heep] / hip /

noun

1. a group of things placed, thrown, or lying one on another; pile.

   a heap of stones.

   Synonyms:

   collection , accumulation , stack , mass

2. Informal.  a great quantity or number; multitude.

   a heap of people.

3. Slang.  an automobile, especially a dilapidated one.

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verb (used with object)

1. to gather, put, or cast in a heap; pile (often followed by up, on, together, etc.).

2. to accumulate or amass (often followed by up ortogether ).

   to heap up riches.

3. to give, assign, or bestow in great quantity; load (often followed by on orupon ).

   to heap blessings upon someone; to heap someone with work.

4. to load, supply, or fill abundantly.

   to heap a plate with food.

verb (used without object)

1. to become heaped or piled, as sand or snow; rise in a heap or heaps (often followed byup ).

idioms

1. all of a heap,

   1. overwhelmed with astonishment; amazed.

      We were struck all of a heap upon hearing of their divorce.

   2. suddenly; abruptly;

      All of a heap the room was empty.

heap British  

/ hiːp /

noun

1. a collection of articles or mass of material gathered together in one place

2. informal  a large number or quantity

3. slang  to contend strenuously with an opposing sporting team

4. slang  to try very hard

5. informal  a place or thing that is very old, untidy, unreliable, etc

   the car was a heap

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   he said he was feeling heaps better

verb

1. to collect or be collected into or as if into a heap or pile

   to heap up wealth

2. (tr; often foll by with, on, or upon) to load or supply (with) abundantly

   to heap with riches

Other Word Forms

• heaper noun
• heapy adjective
• overheap verb (used with object)
• unheaped adjective

Etymology

Origin of heap

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 heap for def. 3; Middle English heep, Old English hēap; cognate with Dutch hoop, Old High German houf; akin to German Haufe

Example Sentences

However, although critics heaped praise on the show as a whole, several added a note of scepticism to their reviews.

From BBC

Now a chip company has allegedly escalated this corporate warfare by financing third-party lawsuits to heap costs on a competitor.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is good reason why the Crosstrek is near the top of the heap of the brand’s bestsellers: It is a serious value, uncomplicated in its operation, impressively functional, and yet, quite comfortable.

From MarketWatch

On the ground are images of heaping plates of food — roast lamb, vegetables, olives and dips.

From Los Angeles Times

Songs like “No Good Deed” and “March of the Witch Hunters” are chopped up and rearranged to allow for more dialogue and less emoting, distending the film into a bloated heap.

From Salon

Related Words

• bundle
• clump
• jumble
• lump
• stack
• ton