heavy

¹heavy

adj \ˈhe-vē\

heavi·erheavi·est

Definition of HEAVY

1

a : having great weight; also : characterized by mass or weight <how heavy is it?> b : having a high specific gravity : having great weight in proportion to bulk c (1) of an isotope : having or being atoms of greater than normal mass for that element (2) of a compound : containing heavy isotopes

2

: hard to bear; specifically : grievous, afflictive <a heavy sorrow>

3

: of weighty import : serious <heavy consequences>

4

: deep, profound <a heavy silence>

5

a : borne down by something oppressive : burdened b : pregnant; especially : approaching parturition

6

a : slow or dull from loss of vitality or resiliency : sluggish <a tired heavy step> b : lacking sparkle or vivacity : drab c : lacking mirth or gaiety : doleful d : characterized by declining prices

7

: dulled with weariness : drowsy

8

: greater in quantity or quality than the average of its kind or class: as a : of unusually large size or amount <a heavy turnout> <heavy traffic> b : of great force <heavy seas> c : threatening to rain or snow d (1) : impeding motion (2) : full of clay and inclined to hold water e : coming as if from a depth : loud <heavy breathing> f : thick, coarse <heavy syrup> g : oppressive <a heavy odor> <heavy weather> <rule with a heavy hand> h : steep, acute i : laborious, difficult <heavy going> j : immoderate <a heavy smoker> k : more powerful than usual for its kind <a heavy cavalry> <a heavy cruiser> l : of large capacity or output

9

a : very rich and hard to digest <heavy desserts> b : not properly raised or leavened <heavy bread>

10

: producing goods (as coal, steel, or chemicals) used in the production of other goods <heavy industry>

11

a : having stress <a heavy rhythm> —used especially of syllables in accentual verse b : being the strongest degree of stress in speech

12

: relating to theatrical parts of a grave or somber nature

13

: long 9 <heavy on ideas>

14

: important, prominent <a heavy politician>

— heavi·ness noun

Examples of HEAVY

1. “Is that box too heavy for you to lift?” “No, it's not very heavy.”
2. The truck was carrying a heavy load.
3. The man was six feet tall with a heavy build.
4. Turnout for the election is expected to be heavy.
5. We got caught in heavy traffic.
6. Heavy rains caused flooding in the area.
7. She was wearing sunglasses and heavy makeup.
8. The storm caused heavy damage to the building.
9. The company is facing heavy losses this quarter.
10. a day of heavy fighting

Origin of HEAVY

Middle English hevy, from Old English hefig; akin to Old High German hebīc heavy, Old English hebban to lift — more at heave

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HEAVY

Synonyms: hefty, massive, ponderous, weighty

Antonyms: light, weightless

Related Words: burdensome, leaden, lumpish; bulky, elephantine, massy, outsize (also outsized), voluminous; overweight, top-heavy; solid, substantial; ultraheavy

Near Antonyms: airy, ethereal, feathery, fluffy, gossamer, gossamery; flimsy, insubstantial, slight; lightweight, undersized (also undersize), underweight; ultralight, ultralightweight

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of HEAVY

heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome mean having great weight. heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class <a heavy child for his age>. weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight <a load of weighty boxes>. ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia <ponderous elephants in a circus parade>. cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating <wrestled with the cumbrous furniture> <early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient>.

Rhymes with HEAVY

bevy, levee, levy