heavily

[hev-uh-lee]

adverb

1. with a great weight or burden.

   a heavily loaded wagon.

2. in a manner suggestive of carrying a great weight; ponderously; lumberingly.

   He walked heavily across the room.

3. in an oppressive manner.

   Cares weigh heavily upon him.

4. severely; greatly; intensely.

   to suffer heavily.

5. densely; thickly.

   heavily wooded.

6. in large amounts or in great quantities; very much.

   It rained heavily on Tuesday.

7. without animation or vigor; in a dull manner; sluggishly.

Other Word Forms

• overheavily adverb
• unheavily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heavily¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English hevyly, Old English hefiglīce; equivalent to heavy + -ly

Example Sentences

Jonathan Powell, the British government's national security adviser, was heavily involved in the negotiations that brought about the Good Friday Agreement, when he was Sir Tony's chief of staff.

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She said the country had relied too heavily on selling goods, such as commodities like energy and minerals, to the U.S. tariff-free under the provisions of a North American trade treaty.

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Alphabet Inc. has been investing heavily in Google Gemini’s capabilities this year, and it’s making a major new push to expand beyond its consumer chatbot and into the corporate market.

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There is a common misconception that the way to win in the playoffs is by relying heavily on small ball.

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Maybe this is the moment when America’s high rate of chronic disease—which is heavily influenced by dietary habits—finally begins to decline.

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Related Words

• densely www.thesaurus.com
• massively www.thesaurus.com
• thickly www.thesaurus.com