Word
heck
Phoneticsheck
US/ˈhɛk/
UK/hˈɛk/
Definitions
01emphasis in a question
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal
n. you use this word in a question to show you are very surprised or confused.
n. used as a euphemistic intensifier within wh-questions to express surprise, frustration, or bewilderment.
“How the heck did you manage to finish that difficult project so quickly?”
“Where the heck did I leave my car keys? I have been searching the entire house for twenty minutes.”
02a lot / very much
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. used to describe a large amount of something or to say something is very good.
n. used in the phrase 'a heck of a' to emphasize the significant size, quality, or intensity of something.
“That was a heck of a game; I have never seen such a close finish.”
“It is going to be a heck of a challenge to convince the board to approve such a radical change in strategy.”
03mild frustration
B1 · Intermediate Informal
interj. a polite word you say when you are slightly annoyed or when something goes wrong.
interj. a euphemistic exclamation used to express mild annoyance, disappointment, or surprise.
“Oh heck, I forgot to bring my umbrella and it is starting to rain.”
“Oh heck, I think I just deleted the final version of the report instead of saving it to the cloud.”
Usage
Commonly used in the fixed phrases 'what the heck', 'how the heck', or 'a heck of a'.
Etymology
English, Dutch and south German surname, all from words meaning "hedge," "enclosure," "fence," from *haggju. Compare Van Heck, Hatch.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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