hearty
B2Neutral to slightly formal; common in descriptive writing and speech.
Definition
Meaning
Showing or expressing strong, sincere, and warm feelings; full of vigor and enthusiasm.
Refers to something that is substantial, nourishing, and satisfying, particularly in relation to food, or to a person who is strong, healthy, and full of vitality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The adjective has two main semantic clusters: 1) related to sincere, enthusiastic feelings (e.g., a hearty welcome), and 2) related to being strong, substantial, or vigorous (e.g., a hearty meal, a hearty laugh). It is distinct from 'hardy', which means robust and capable of enduring hardship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Hearty' might be slightly more frequent in British English in food contexts (e.g., 'a hearty breakfast'). The noun 'hearty' as an informal term for a sailor or a strong, vigorous person (often in 'old hearty') is archaic but was historically more British.
Connotations
Both varieties share positive connotations of warmth, sincerity, and healthiness.
Frequency
Similar overall frequency; a core vocabulary item in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] hearty in [noun] (He was hearty in his support.)[verb] a hearty [noun] (They gave him a hearty welcome.)[a/an] hearty [noun] (She has a hearty laugh.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hale and hearty (in good health, especially of an older person)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal congratulations or thanks ('hearty thanks for your efforts').
Academic
Uncommon, except in literary analysis describing a character's nature or a sincere sentiment.
Everyday
Common, especially describing food, laughter, welcomes, or thanks.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- After the hike, we all sat down to a hearty roast dinner.
- He let out a hearty chuckle at the comedian's joke.
- They sent their heartiest congratulations on the promotion.
American English
- Start your day with a hearty breakfast of eggs and pancakes.
- The team received a hearty round of applause from the crowd.
- She was known for her hearty and straightforward manner.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a hearty laugh.
- The soup was very hearty.
- We gave the visitors a hearty welcome.
- You need a hearty meal after working outside all day.
- Despite his age, my grandfather is still hale and hearty.
- The proposal was met with hearty approval from the committee.
- Her hearty endorsement of the candidate carried significant weight with the delegates.
- There is a hearty strain of scepticism in his philosophical writings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HEART: a HEARTY greeting comes from the heart, and a HEARTY meal is good for your heart (health).
Conceptual Metaphor
ENTHUSIASM IS VIGOR / SINCERITY IS DEPTH OR FULLNESS (e.g., a hearty laugh fills the room; hearty support has depth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сердечный' (cordially) in all contexts; 'hearty meal' is 'сытная еда'.
- Avoid using 'hearty' to translate 'душевный' in its melancholic sense; it is positive and vigorous.
- Not a direct translation for 'закаленный' (that's 'hardy').
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'hearty' (warm/vigorous) with 'hardy' (robust/durable).
- Overusing in formal writing where 'sincere' or 'enthusiastic' might be more precise.
- Misspelling as 'hearthy'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hearty' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Hearty' relates to warmth, sincerity, or substantialness (a hearty meal). 'Hardy' describes toughness and the ability to endure difficult conditions (a hardy plant).
Yes, it can describe someone who is strong, healthy, and vigorous (a hearty old sailor), or someone who shows warm, sincere feelings (a hearty host).
It is neutral; common in everyday language and descriptive writing. It can sound slightly old-fashioned or literary in some contexts, but remains standard.
Almost always positive. In rare, ironic use, 'a hearty dislike' means a strong and sincere dislike, but the connotation of 'strength' remains.