English Reference
adjective

hearty

adj.
US /ˈhɑɹti/ UK /hˈɑːti/ hearty

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    showing warm and sincere feelings towards others.

    characterised by sincere, warm, and cordial feelings.

    Simple

    The host gave us a hearty welcome as soon as we walked through the door.

    In context

    Despite the years of professional rivalry, the two scientists exchanged a hearty greeting before the conference began.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    loud, cheerful, and full of energy.

    expressed with great spirit, volume, and genuine cheerfulness.

    Simple

    We heard his hearty laugh from the other side of the house.

    In context

    The room was filled with hearty cheers as the captain announced that the entire crew would receive a bonus.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    large and satisfying, especially when talking about food.

    providing abundant nourishment; substantial and satisfying in quantity.

    Simple

    After a long day of hiking, we sat down for a hearty soup.

    In context

    The mountain lodge is famous for serving a hearty breakfast that sustains climbers for the duration of their ascent.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Literary

    strong, healthy, and full of life.

    possessing or exhibiting physical strength, health, and vigour.

    Simple

    The old man remained hearty and active well into his eighties.

    In context

    The explorer was a hearty soul who seemed entirely unaffected by the brutal conditions of the arctic winter.

Clarinet, bassoon and piano stood out, with a hearty laugh for the flatulent rasp of the contrabassoon.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

Equivalent to heart + -y.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated