hearten
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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heartensimple
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heartenssimple
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have heartenedperfect
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has heartenedperfect
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am hearteningprogressive
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are hearteningprogressive
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is hearteningprogressive
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have been hearteningperfect progressive
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has been hearteningperfect progressive
Past
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heartenedsimple
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had heartenedperfect
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was hearteningprogressive
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were hearteningprogressive
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had been hearteningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of hearten
Explanation
Things that hearten you cheer you up. A welcome home party will hearten even the weariest traveler. You might buy flowers for your grandmother to hearten her after a difficult week, or hearten a shy tap dancer with applause after his routine. Things that encourage or inspire, whether it's the sight of your dog waiting for you outside school or another person's success, can also be said to hearten. The figurative meaning of heart — as in "losing heart" or having a "change of heart" — is at the root of hearten, from the Old English heorte, "heart, soul, or spirit."
Vocabulary lists containing hearten
The Crucible
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This Week in Words : January 19 - 25, 2019
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The relatively shorter break, after the company picked 2025 as the potential date for BTS' return as a group, also appeared to hearten the market.
From Reuters ● Oct. 18, 2022
There is also some quite progressive language in this draft decision that will hearten campaigners, specifically the mention of coal.
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2021
But what if you’re looking to hearten rather than startle the soul?
From New York Times ● Oct. 29, 2020
That would give fresh impetus to the Cop26 talks, and hearten activists.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 30, 2020
“Poor girl, you’re worn out. It isn’t like you to be forlorn. Stop a bit. I’ll hearten you up in a jiffy.”
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
What heartens Sellars is a basic human need for creativity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2020
“What heartens me was within a couple of weeks of that passing, was the council came together and said, ‘Let’s do what we can to make sure that we get a year-round shelter before then.’
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 12, 2018
The outpouring of support heartens her, but Valerio has a less-than-optimistic forecast for Muslims.
From The Guardian ● May 13, 2018
What heartens Mr. Gainor is Mr. Zuckerberg’s willingness to sit down with conservatives to work on fixing the problem.
From Washington Times ● May 16, 2016
He heartens his men for the assault by his description of the enemy.
From Expositions of Holy Scripture Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and First Book of Samuel, Second Samuel, First Kings, and Second Kings chapters I to VII by Maclaren, Alexander
Not everyone in the region is so heartened; the war has shattered the illusion that the Gulf is a luxurious safe haven.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
The MND Association also said it was "heartened" to see Baroness Casey had listened and recommended the need for a fast-track passport enabling people with MND to secure the care and support they need.
From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026
Clark is also heartened that the average withdrawal amount remains low, with a median withdrawal of $1,900, down slightly from $2,100 in 2024.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 4, 2026
But Lee was also heartened to learn from her acupuncturist that she, as a Sheep, is one of the best animals to parent a Horse baby.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026
The horses liked it; they pranced a little during the first two miles, heartened by an extra-good breakfast and perhaps conscious of a light hand on the reins.
From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt
At a time when drama has come to depend on celebrity leads and commercial hype, this bounty of understated excellence is heartening.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
"We didn't realise how wide the interest is; it's heartening to see that a lot of people care about this farm," said Hicks.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Either way, it’s heartening to hear people say they want to give back.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 20, 2026
“One of the most heartening parts of this past year for me has been the outpouring of support I’ve received from women,” she declared in the video.
From Slate ● May 6, 2026
There was loud applause for the Abbot’s heartening words, but Constance was not convinced.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
