hearty

hearty — adjective

1. showing a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and friendly warmth, often in a loud or liv

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

showing a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and friendly warmth, often in a loud or lively way

Example

The host gave us a hearty welcome when we arrived at the party.

hearty welcome — warm, enthusiastic greeting

Gabriel let out a hearty laugh when he heard Minho's joke.

hearty laugh — loud, genuine laughter

Common collocations
  • hearty welcome
  • hearty laugh
  • hearty applause
  • hearty hug
Synonyms
  • warm

    simpler and less energetic; focuses on kindness rather than liveliness

  • enthusiastic

    highlights excitement but can lack the personal warmth of 'hearty'

  • jovial

    cheerful and good-humoured; more formal and less commonly used

Antonyms
  • cold

    lacking warmth or friendly feeling

  • half-hearted

    showing little energy or interest

Usage Note

Often describes greetings, laughter, applause, or other expressions of warmth that are openly and energetically shown.

Common Mistakes

The food was hearty and full of flavor.
The host gave us a hearty welcome.
'hearty' for food has a different meaning (sense 2: abundant food); for people's behaviour it means warm and energetic.

2. describing a meal or portion of food that is large, satisfying, and makes you fe

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a meal or portion of food that is large, satisfying, and makes you feel full

Example

The inn served a hearty stew with fresh bread for dinner.

hearty stew — large, filling dish

After the long hike, everyone enjoyed a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon.

Common collocations
  • hearty meal
  • hearty breakfast
  • hearty soup
  • hearty stew
  • hearty appetite
Synonyms
  • substantial

    more formal; focuses on size and nutritional value

  • filling

    simpler and more informal; emphasises the feeling of fullness

  • abundant

    highlights large quantity more than the satisfying quality

Antonyms
  • light

    small in quantity; easy to digest

  • meagre

    too small in quantity; not enough to satisfy

Usage Note

Used for food, meals, or portions. Typically describes dishes with substantial ingredients — soups, stews, roasts, breakfasts — rather than light snacks or salads.

Common Mistakes

She gave a hearty speech at the wedding.
She served a hearty soup at the dinner.
'hearty' for food refers to quantity and satisfaction, not emotional warmth.

3. given or expressed with complete sincerity and without any doubt or hesitation

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

given or expressed with complete sincerity and without any doubt or hesitation

Example

The committee gave its hearty approval to the new community project.

hearty approval — wholehearted, unreserved agreement

Rachid offered his hearty congratulations when Ishaan won the award.

hearty congratulations — sincere, enthusiastic praise

Common collocations
  • hearty approval
  • hearty support
  • hearty agreement
  • hearty congratulations
Synonyms
  • wholehearted

    nearly identical in meaning; slightly more formal and less idiomatic

  • unreserved

    formal; emphasises the absence of doubt or restriction

  • sincere

    simpler; focuses on honesty rather than completeness of feeling

Antonyms

Usage Note

Typically used with nouns like 'support', 'approval', 'agreement', or 'congratulations' to show that the feeling is complete and unreserved.

Common Mistakes

I gave a hearty try to learn guitar.
The plan has my hearty support.
'hearty' in this sense is not used for personal attempts; it describes approval or endorsement given without reservation.

4. physically strong, healthy, and full of energy, especially despite age or diffic

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

physically strong, healthy, and full of energy, especially despite age or difficult conditions

Example

At eighty-five years old, Grandma Lin is still hearty and active in her garden.

still hearty — remaining strong despite age

The elderly farmer remained hearty even after working outside all day.

Common collocations
  • hearty constitution
  • hearty appetite
  • still hearty
  • hearty and active
Synonyms
  • robust

    more formal; emphasises toughness and durability

  • vigorous

    focuses on energy and active strength

  • sturdy

    simpler; emphasises solid build and resilience

Antonyms
  • frail

    weak and delicate, especially due to age

  • feeble

    lacking physical strength or energy

Usage Note

Often describes older people or animals who remain vigorous and active. Can also describe a person's physical build or natural resilience.

Common Mistakes

I feel hearty after my workout.
My grandfather is still hearty at ninety.
'hearty' for health suggests lasting strength over time, not temporary feelings after exercise.
Idioms

hale and hearty

idiom

Someone who is hale and hearty is very healthy and strong, especially for their age.

My grandfather is 85 but still hale and hearty.

After a week of rest, Sara felt hale and hearty again.

hearty — noun

Word family

  • heart
    nounA1
  • heartily
    adverbB2
  • heartiness
    nounC1
  • heartless
    adjectiveB2
  • wholehearted
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Hearty, warm, enthusiastic, and jovial all describe positive, friendly behaviour, but they differ in tone and intensity. 'Warm' is the gentlest term — it suggests kindness and affection without necessarily being loud or energetic (e.g. 'She gave me a warm smile'). 'Enthusiastic' focuses on eagerness and excitement rather than personal warmth ('The children were enthusiastic about the trip'). 'Jovial' describes a cheerful, good-humoured person who enjoys company and laughter, often in a more formal literary context ('The jovial host made sure everyone had a drink'). 'Hearty' combines energy with genuine personal warmth — it is louder and more physical than 'warm', more personally affectionate than 'enthusiastic', and more down-to-earth than 'jovial'. A hearty welcome might include a loud greeting and a firm handshake; a warm welcome might simply be a kind smile.

warm ↗enthusiastic ↗jovialhearty ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • hearty and active

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'hearty' comes from 'heart' (from Old English 'heorte') plus the suffix '-y', meaning 'having the qualities of the heart'. Since the heart has long been seen as the centre of emotion, energy, and life itself, 'hearty' first meant 'from the heart' — sincere and genuine. Over time it expanded to describe physical robustness (a hearty person is full of life), generous amounts of food (a hearty meal fills the heart as well as the stomach), and enthusiastic behaviour (a hearty laugh comes from deep within).