having a specified feeling, mood, personality trait, or kind of heart (now used only in combination).
hardhearted;
sad-hearted.
fixed or present in the heart.
What does hearted mean? Hearted is used in compound words to mean “having a specific type of personality or trait.” The word that precedes hearted indicates the type of personality or trait, as in hardhearted or warm-hearted. Hearted can also be used by itself to mean “present in the heart,” but this usage is very rare. Example: Tim’s so kindhearted that he gave his coat to a homeless man on his walk home today.
First recorded in 1175–1225, hearted is from the Middle English word iherted. See y-, heart, -ed 3
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lewis Waters was described as "funny and kind hearted".
From BBC ● May 19, 2026
"Quiet, intensive, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, 'Teddy' was a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story."
From Barron's ● Dec. 26, 2025
“Quiet, intense, intuitive constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of the Cure story,” the band said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025
"I am obviously a bit heavy hearted as it's the game I've loved for so long and given so much to but, on reflection, I am proud and excited about the next bit as well."
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025
She was not as fast as an ostrich, or even a Derby-winning Thoroughbred, but still, when it came to being true hearted, Penelope knew she could not have chosen anyone better for the job.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
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.
