ENGLISH
REFERENCE

heavily

adv.
US //ˈhɛvəɫi// UK //hˈɛvili// heav·i·ly
  1. 1 to a great degree (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    in a large amount or to a great extent.

    to a considerable degree or extent; frequently used to modify verbs of consumption or influence.

    Example

    The company relies heavily on its international sales to make a profit.

    Example

    The local economy remains heavily dependent on seasonal tourism, leaving many residents vulnerable to financial instability during the winter months.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'on' after verbs like 'rely' or 'depend'.
  2. 2 weather or weight (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    with a lot of force or in a thick layer.

    with great force, weight, or density; typically describing precipitation or physical application.

    Example

    It started to rain heavily just as we reached the bus stop.

    Example

    Snow fell heavily throughout the night, eventually burying the mountain roads under several feet of fresh powder.

    Usage

    Commonly collocates with 'rain', 'snow', or 'sleep'.
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  1. 3 with effort (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a slow way that shows you are tired or find something difficult.

    in a laboured, slow, or difficult manner, often relating to breathing or movement.

    Example

    He was breathing heavily after running up the three flights of stairs.

    Example

    The exhausted hiker sat on a rock, breathing heavily while trying to recover his strength for the final ascent.
Origin

From Middle English hevely, hevyliche, from Old English hefiġlīċe (“heavily; grievously”), equivalent to heavy + -ly.

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