Word
heartfelt
Phoneticsheart·felt, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹtˌfɛɫt/
UK/hˈɑːtfɛlt/
Definition
adj. showing strong, honest, and sincere feelings. You use this to describe things like thanks, apologies, or speeches that come from the heart.
adj. sincere and deeply felt; expressing genuine emotion without pretense. Often used to describe communicative acts such as apologies, tributes, or expressions of gratitude.
Examples
“She gave a heartfelt speech at the wedding.”
“The charity received a heartfelt letter of thanks from a family they had helped during the winter.”
“The actor’s heartfelt performance resonated with audiences, as he managed to convey a sense of profound loss without relying on overly dramatic gestures or dialogue.”
Examples
simple
“She gave a heartfelt speech at the wedding.”
contextual
“The charity received a heartfelt letter of thanks from a family they had helped during the winter.”
complex
“The actor’s heartfelt performance resonated with audiences, as he managed to convey a sense of profound loss without relying on overly dramatic gestures or dialogue.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “heartfelt” in context.
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often pairs with 'apology', 'thanks', 'plea', or 'tribute'.
Real-World Examples
“In a post on social media , external which gained thousands of responses from customers past and present, the family shared a "heartfelt thank you".” “She wouldn’t have slept well if she’d known this book was coming, but it’s an epic achievement and an honest, heartfelt account.” Etymology
From heart + felt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/heartfelt