# heavy

/ˈhɛvi/ (US) · /hˈɛvi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. having great weight

adjective · CEFR A2

having a lot of weight; difficult to lift or move.

For teachers: possessing great physical weight; having high mass or density.

- The suitcase was too heavy for me to carry up the stairs by myself.
- The movers struggled with the heavy mahogany desk, eventually deciding to disassemble it before attempting the narrow staircase.

### 2. intense or great in amount

adjective · CEFR A2

describing something that is very strong or happens a lot, like rain or traffic.

For teachers: of great force, power, or intensity; occurring in large quantities or at a high rate.

- We were late for the movie because of the heavy traffic on the highway.
- Heavy rainfall throughout the night caused the riverbanks to overflow, threatening several low-lying residential areas.

### 3. doing an activity intensely

adjective · CEFR B1

doing a specific activity more than most people, often something unhealthy.

For teachers: engaging in a specified activity with greater intensity or frequency than is typical.

- My uncle was a heavy smoker for years before he finally decided to quit.
- The study focused on heavy drinkers, examining the long-term physiological effects of high alcohol consumption over several decades.

### 4. serious or difficult

adjective · CEFR B2

describing a situation or topic that is very serious or sad.

For teachers: serious, somber, or oppressive in character; difficult to endure or process emotionally.

- The atmosphere in the room became heavy after they heard the bad news.
- The documentary deals with some very heavy themes, including the psychological toll of long-term isolation during the war.

### 5. difficult to digest

adjective · CEFR B1

food that makes you feel very full or is hard for your stomach to process.

For teachers: containing high proportions of fat or protein; difficult to digest or causing a feeling of excessive fullness.

- I felt very sleepy after eating such a heavy meal in the middle of the day.
- The traditional winter pudding was far too heavy for a summer garden party, where guests typically prefer lighter, fruit-based desserts.

### 6. tired eyes

adjective · CEFR B2 · Literary

when your eyelids feel like they want to close because you are very tired.

For teachers: describing eyelids that are difficult to keep open due to extreme fatigue or drowsiness.

- His eyes grew heavy as he tried to finish the last chapter of his book.
- With heavy eyelids and a fading sense of focus, the night-shift worker struggled to remain attentive during the final hour of his rotation.

### 7. a bouncer or villain

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a strong person hired to protect someone or a bad character in a story.

For teachers: a person hired for physical protection or enforcement; alternatively, a villainous character in a dramatic production.

- The club owner hired a couple of heavies to stand by the entrance.
- In many classic noir films, the protagonist must navigate a dangerous underworld populated by corrupt officials and hired heavies.

### 8. to pressure someone

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Dialect

to use your power or money to force someone to do what you want.

For teachers: to exert strong pressure or influence on an individual or organisation to achieve a desired outcome.

- The big company tried to heavy the local council into approving the new mall.
- The administration was accused of trying to heavy the independent committee into revising its critical report before the election.

## Examples

- This suitcase is too heavy for me to carry alone.
- The movers had to use a special trolley to transport the heavy oak desk up the stairs.
- Despite the heavy rainfall and the weight of their saturated gear, the hikers continued their ascent toward the summit before nightfall.

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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.