# heavily

/ˈhɛvəɫi/ (US) · /hˈɛvili/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heavily
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to a great degree

adverb · CEFR B1

in a large amount or to a great extent.

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

- The company relies heavily on its international sales to make a profit.
- 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. weather or weight

adverb · CEFR B1

with a lot of force or in a thick layer.

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

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

### 3. with effort

adverb · CEFR B2

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

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

- He was breathing heavily after running up the three flights of stairs.
- The exhausted hiker sat on a rock, breathing heavily while trying to recover his strength for the final ascent.

## Examples

- It is raining heavily outside today.
- The local economy relies heavily on tourism to provide jobs for young people in the area.
- The report was heavily criticized by independent experts who argued that the data collection methods were fundamentally flawed and biased toward a specific outcome.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.