hearty
Americanadjective
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warm-hearted; affectionate; cordial; jovial.
a hearty welcome.
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genuine; sincere; heartfelt.
hearty approval; hearty dislike.
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completely devoted; wholehearted.
hearty support.
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exuberant; unrestrained.
hearty laughter.
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violent; forceful.
a hearty push; a hearty kick.
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physically vigorous; strong and well.
hale and hearty.
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substantial; abundant; nourishing.
a hearty meal.
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enjoying or requiring abundant food.
a hearty appetite.
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(of soil) fertile.
noun
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a brave or good fellow, especially with reference to a shipmate.
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a sailor.
adjective
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warm and unreserved in manner or behaviour
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vigorous and enthusiastic
a hearty slap on the back
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sincere and heartfelt
hearty dislike
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healthy and strong (esp in the phrase hale and hearty )
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substantial and nourishing
noun
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a comrade, esp a sailor
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a vigorous sporting man
a rugby hearty
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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heartinessnoun
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overheartinessnoun
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superheartinessnoun
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overheartyadjective
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quasi-heartyadjective
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superheartyadjective
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unheartyadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Etymology
Origin of hearty
First recorded in 1350–1400, hearty is from the Middle English word herti. See heart, -y 1
Explanation
Hearty describes abundant, full, and satisfying things, and lively, strong, and enthusiastic people. A bowl of thick chili with cheese and a glass of milk is hearty. A spoon of water with a grape? Not so hearty. You can't miss the "heart" in hearty. Words like "wholehearted" and "half-hearted" also have "heart" and are a help in remembering the adjective hearty. If you put your whole heart into anything from walking a dog to saying good morning to your friends, you're hearty and full of life. Something half-hearted is weak and not hearty. A loud laugh that fills a room is very hearty; you can almost feel its fullness. If it comes from the heart and adds well-being and happiness, it's probably hearty.
Vocabulary lists containing hearty
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
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100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
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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.
Trump offered his hearty congratulations to De la Espriella on Monday.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
There was another positive review from Screen International's Tim Grierson, who said it was "another delightful adventure that mines fresh emotional terrain while producing plenty of hearty laughs".
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
It’s an excellent condiment that works as a dip for crudités or a hearty spread when paired with grilled meats, like chicken shawarma and lamb.
From Salon • May 24, 2026
Hopeless but hearty, the Lakers forged ahead Thursday, and still clung to a one-point lead midway through the third quarter when the rickety wheels came completely off.
From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026
I get a plate of a thick, hearty stew and a slice of bread from the woman at the window.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
