Hearty — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈhär-tē/

Meaning & Definition of Hearty

Hearty (adjective)

  1. giving unqualified support
  2. enthusiastically or exuberantly cordial, jovial
  3. expressed unrestrainedly

Hearty (noun)

  1. a hearty fellow; also, sailor

Hearty (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. characterized by unqualified enthusiasm

    "his decision to marry at long last has the whole family's hearty approval"

    similar: wholehearted, whole-souled
    related: single-minded, ardent, avid, eager, enthusiastic, excited, exuberant, fervent, gung ho, impassioned, keen, mettlesome, passionate, raring, vehement, warm, zealous, animated, energetic, lively, spirited, vigorous, absolute, bona fide, earnest, genuine, heartfelt, sincere, unaffected, undisguised, unequivocal, unfeigned, unrestrained
    opposite: grudging, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid
    near: apathetic, disinterested, dispassionate, indifferent, uninterested, lackadaisical, listless, perfunctory, spiritless, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, equivocal, hesitant, qualified, tentative, uncertain, delayed, dilatory, doubtful, hedging, hesitating, forced, reluctant, resistant, reticent, unwilling

  2. enjoying health and vigor

    "you're looking really hearty after that month in the clear mountain air!"

    similar: able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, in fine fettle, in shape, in the pink
    related: hard, hardy, iron, lusty, rugged, stalwart, strong, sturdy, tough, ambulatory, nondisabled, uncrippled, active, agile, chipper, lively, sprightful, sprightly, spry, vigorous, vital, blooming, clean-cut, flourishing, flush, prospering, thriving, all right, good, right
    opposite: ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell
    near: decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm, run-down, sickened, sickly, weak, weakened, weakly, worn-out, debilitated, differently abled, disabled, incapacitated, delicate, fragile, frail, emaciated, gaunt, haggard, malnourished, undernourished, afflicted, troubled, bad, poorly

  3. having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest

    "the mayor gave the assembled volunteers his hearty thanks for their restoration of the bandstand on the town square"

    similar: amicable, bonhomous, buddy-buddy, chummy, collegial, companionable, comradely, cordial, friendly, genial, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, matey (chiefly British), neighborly, palsy, palsy-walsy (slang), warm, warmhearted
    related: affable, agreeable, approachable, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, nice, sweet, clubby, convivial, folksy, gregarious, hospitable, sociable, social, jolly, jovial, merry, extroverted, outgoing, brotherly, fraternal, sisterly, close, familiar, intimate, adoring, affectionate, devoted, fond, lovesome, loving, tender, tenderhearted
    opposite: antagonistic, hostile, unfriendly
    near: alienated, estranged, chilly, cold, cold-blooded, cool, frigid, frosty, glacial, icy, wintry, unsociable, unsocial, aggressive, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, inhospitable, inimical

  4. not showing weakness or uncertainty

    "gave the reins a hearty tug but the horse wouldn't budge"

    similar: firm, forceful, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous
    related: hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding, animated, brisk, energetic, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, assured, certain, confident, sanguine, secure, sure
    opposite: uncertain, weak
    near: feeble, fragile, frail, limp, listless, spiritless, diffident, insecure, self-doubting, characterless, effete, spineless, weakened, weak-kneed, wimpy, wishy-washy

Hearty (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who operates or navigates a seagoing vessel

    "gather round me hearties, and I'll tell you a sea tale that'll shiver your timbers for sure"

    similar: gob, jack, jack-tar, mariner, navigator, sailor, salt, sea dog, seafarer, seaman, shipman, swab, swabbie (slang), tar
    related: coxswain, crewman, deckhand, shipmate, able-bodied seaman, able seaman, lubber, powerboater, sailboater, lime-juicer (slang), limey (slang)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hearty

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hearty:

Slang: palsy-walsy, swabbie
Chiefly British: matey
wholehearted, whole-souled, able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome, amicable, bonhomous, buddy-buddy, chummy, collegial, companionable, comradely, cordial, friendly, genial, hail-fellow, hail-fellow-well-met, neighborly, palsy, warm, warmhearted, firm, forceful, iron, lusty, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous, in fine fettle, in shape

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hearty

Words with the opposite meaning of Hearty:

grudging, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, ailing, diseased, ill, sick, unfit, unhealthy, unsound, unwell, antagonistic, hostile, unfriendly, uncertain, weak

Related Words for Hearty

single-minded, ardent, avid, eager, enthusiastic, excited, exuberant, fervent, gung ho, impassioned, keen, mettlesome, passionate, raring, vehement, zealous, animated, energetic, lively, spirited, absolute, bona fide, earnest, genuine, heartfelt, sincere, unaffected, undisguised, unequivocal, unfeigned

Near Antonyms of Hearty

apathetic, disinterested, dispassionate, indifferent, uninterested, lackadaisical, listless, perfunctory, spiritless, uneager, unenthusiastic, unexcited, equivocal, hesitant, qualified, tentative, delayed, dilatory, doubtful, hedging, hesitating, forced, reluctant, resistant, reticent, unwilling, decrepit, enfeebled, feeble, infirm

Word Forms of Hearty

Inflections: heartier, heartiest, hearties

Derived words: heartiness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hearty

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Hearty

hearty appetite, hearty eater

Frequently Asked Questions about Hearty

What does "Hearty" mean?

"Hearty" means giving unqualified support. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: giving unqualified support. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hearty"?

Other words for "Hearty" include wholehearted, whole-souled, able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy and robust. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hearty" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hearty"?

There are 176 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hearty". Common alternatives include wholehearted, whole-souled, able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, healthy, robust, sound and well.

What is the opposite of "Hearty"?

Antonyms of "Hearty" include grudging, halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid, ailing, diseased, ill and sick. Near antonyms include apathetic, disinterested, dispassionate and indifferent.

How do you use "Hearty" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hearty" in a sentence: "his decision to marry at long last has the whole family's hearty approval"; "you're looking really hearty after that month in the clear mountain air!"; "the mayor gave the assembled volunteers his hearty thanks for their restoration of the bandstand on the town square".

Is "Hearty" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hearty" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Hearty"?

"Hearty" is pronounced /ˈhär-tē/.

What is the origin of the word "Hearty"?

First known use: 14th century.