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 cancer was removed, but the surgery affected my appearance and made me more self-conscious about being seen in public," she said in a heartfelt statement.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
"We handed the draft to Professor Kimizuka just 11 days before he left the lab, which for us felt like a heartfelt retirement gift," Sasaki notes.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026
Martin appreciated the note, but recognized that even in his seemingly heartfelt apology, McAfee could not adapt his belief system to fit her experience.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
The family asks for privacy at this time and is thankful for all the heartfelt condolences.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
“I’m sure you’d be satisfied with only my heartfelt thanks”—El Patron chuckled as the doctors tried to hide their disappointment—“but you’ll be even more satisfied with these one-million-dollar checks.”
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
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.
