heartfelt
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of heartfelt
Explanation
If something is heartfelt, it's sincere and warm. It's clear from your elderly neighbor's heartfelt invitation that she genuinely wants you to come over for tea and cookies. When you're profoundly grateful to your favorite teacher, you'll offer her your heartfelt thanks. And when your best friend's dog dies, you'll give him your heartfelt sympathy. Things that are heartfelt are deeply emotional, believed or felt very strongly. The word dates from the 18th century, from heart, with its Old English root heorte, "heart, spirit, or mind."
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.
The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust said it fully accepted "aspects of the care we provided fell short" and offered a "heartfelt apology".
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Before play resumed, Detroit edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson gathered the defense and delivered a few heartfelt words.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
That heartfelt moment was captured on her Ring camera too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
By spinning the final chorus out of the foundational lullaby, he helps ensure that the work’s grandiose ending remains heartfelt rather that bombastic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
And all the heartfelt things we never get to say to those we love, Morrie said that day. was a rousing success.
From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
