hearty

[hahr-tee]

adjective

heartier, heartiest 

1. warm-hearted; affectionate; cordial; jovial.

   a hearty welcome.

2. genuine; sincere; heartfelt.

   hearty approval; hearty dislike.

3. completely devoted; wholehearted.

   hearty support.

4. exuberant; unrestrained.

   hearty laughter.

5. violent; forceful.

   a hearty push; a hearty kick.

6. physically vigorous; strong and well.

   hale and hearty.

7. substantial; abundant; nourishing.

   a hearty meal.

8. enjoying or requiring abundant food.

   a hearty appetite.

9. (of soil) fertile.

noun

Archaic.

plural

hearties 

1. a brave or good fellow, especially with reference to a shipmate.

2. a sailor.

hearty

/ ˈhɑːtɪ /

adjective

1. warm and unreserved in manner or behaviour

2. vigorous and enthusiastic

   a hearty slap on the back

3. sincere and heartfelt

   hearty dislike

4. healthy and strong (esp in the phrase hale and hearty )

5. substantial and nourishing

noun

1. a comrade, esp a sailor

2. a vigorous sporting man

   a rugby hearty

Other Word Forms

• heartiness noun
• overheartiness noun
• overhearty adjective
• quasi-hearty adjective
• superheartiness noun
• superhearty adjective
• unhearty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, hearty is from the Middle English word herti. See heart, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see hale and hearty.

Example Sentences

By day, it’s a classic and charming old restaurant where working people go for quiet, hearty meals.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

No more hearty conferences about entrepreneurship, ribbon-cuttings, golf sprees or ceremonial parades—a diminishing existence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Always wanting something new, we tried chanakhi, a hearty stew with eggplant, potatoes, peppers, and lamb.

Read more on Salon

Thanks to a key bit of bitterness from fresh olive oil—another Pugliese specialty—and the still-pungent greens, the combination with the rather meaty pasta shape was both subtle and hearty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Guillermo, who got a round of hearty cheers from the crowd, is known for giving out shots and toasting with A-Listers at awards shows and other Hollywood events.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheery 
• cordial 
• ebullient 
• exuberant 
• generous 
• genial 
• genuine 
• heartfelt 
• passionate 
• sincere 
• warm