change of heart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal. Common in news, literature, and conversation. Less common in highly technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “change of heart” mean?
A significant shift in one's opinion, attitude, or feeling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A significant shift in one's opinion, attitude, or feeling.
A reversal in a decision, belief, or emotional stance, often implying a move towards greater empathy, compassion, or agreement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The phrase is equally common and understood.
Connotations
Slightly more literary/formal in both varieties, but perfectly acceptable in everyday speech.
Frequency
No significant frequency difference.
Grammar
How to Use “change of heart” in a Sentence
[Subject] had a change of heart about [Topic/Issue].A change of heart led [Subject] to [Action].There was a change of heart on the part of [Person/Group].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “change of heart” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She changed her heart on the matter after the debate.
- I never thought he would change heart about moving abroad.
American English
- He changed his heart about the proposal after lunch.
- The senator changed heart on the environmental bill.
adverb
British English
- He agreed, rather change-of-heartedly, to the new terms.
American English
- She announced, somewhat change-of-heartedly, that she would stay.
adjective
British English
- It was a change-of-heart moment that defined his career.
- Her change-of-heart decision surprised everyone.
American English
- The change-of-heart vote altered the bill's fate.
- He gave a change-of-heart speech that moved the audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when a company or executive reverses a policy or strategic decision, often due to public pressure or new data.
Academic
Appears in political science, psychology, and literature to describe shifts in ideological stance or character development.
Everyday
Commonly used regarding personal decisions about relationships, purchases, or lifestyle choices.
Technical
Rare in hard sciences; more likely in soft sciences like sociology or ethics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “change of heart”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “change of heart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “change of heart”
- Using 'change of mind' interchangeably (it's weaker and more about simple preference).
- Incorrect article: 'have change of heart' (must be 'a change of heart').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'change of heart' implies a deeper, more emotional or fundamental shift in feeling or principle. A 'change of mind' is often more casual and intellectual, about a preference or decision.
Typically, it carries a neutral or positive connotation of growth. However, context can make it negative, e.g., 'His sudden change of heart betrayed his earlier principles,' implying fickleness or unreliability.
It is primarily a noun phrase, functioning as a compound subject or object in a sentence (e.g., 'Her change of heart was welcome').
Yes, it is acceptable in formal contexts, including academic and news writing. For the most formal prose, synonyms like 'reversal' or 'reconsideration' might be preferred.
A significant shift in one's opinion, attitude, or feeling.
Change of heart: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈhɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈhɑrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To do a 180/U-turn”
- “To have second thoughts”
- “To see the light”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the classic image of the Grinch: his heart literally grows in size, symbolising his 'change of heart' from miserly to generous.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEART AS THE SEAT OF FEELINGS AND WILL (A change of heart = a change in one's core emotional/intentional centre).
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best illustrates a 'change of heart'?