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.
Before play resumed, Detroit edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson gathered the defense and delivered a few heartfelt words.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
The 32-year-old, who is ranked number six in the world, wrote in a heartfelt post on Instagram about the effect the conflict and "what the war has done to me inside".
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
"I deeply regret it and offer my heartfelt apologies without reservation."
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the individual involved, their family, friends and loved ones. We also continue to support the guests and team members affected,” a Six Flags spokeswoman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
“But you yourself just made the most heartfelt mooing noise. Are you all right?”
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
