heartsick

American  

[hahrt-sik] / ˈhɑrtˌsɪk /

adjective

1. extremely depressed or unhappy.

   Synonyms:

   dispirited, despondent, dejected

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heartsick British  

/ ˈhɑːtˌsɪk /

adjective

1. deeply dejected or despondent

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Other Word Forms

• heartsickening adjective
• heartsickness noun

Etymology

Origin of heartsick

First recorded in 1520–30; heart + sick ¹

Explanation

If you've lost someone you love, you'll be desperately sad, or heartsick. Your beloved grandmother's death or your best friend moving far away can both make you feel heartsick. Grief and loss are connected to the adjective heartsick. When someone's heartsick, they're not just bummed out — they are grieving and mournful. You could also describe this as being heartbroken or heavy-hearted. The heart is important here, because of the strong emotion associated with the word. Originally, heartsick literally meant "ill from heart disease."

Example Sentences

To the book’s heartsick narrator, Louise Brown, the man who embodies those old-fashioned virtues is Claude Collier, the 27-year-old layabout scion of an aristocratic New Orleans clan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Montoya can at least claim to know the score, since he was a Spanish reality TV veteran before romantic distress transformed him into a heartsick Sonic the Hedgehog.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025

Addressing fans through her On the Jlo newsletter, the singer wrote: "I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down."

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2024

As if in a cipher made up of different versions of himself, there’s an endless give-and-take between Idris the teacher and Idris the performer and Idris the writer and Idris the nerdy heartsick hip-hop stan.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2024

It is such a miracle to listen to them read the Scripture, although I must admit it does make me heartsick for you, darling Jane.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland