hefty

adjective

ˈhef-tē 

heftier; heftiest

1

: quite heavy

a hefty book

2

a

: marked by bigness, bulk, and usually strength

a hefty football player

b

: powerful, mighty

gave the door a hefty shove

c

: impressively large : substantial

hefty portions

a hefty price

heftily

ˈhef-tə-lē 

adverb

heftiness

ˈhef-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of hefty

• massive
• heavy

Examples of hefty in a Sentence

He was a tall, hefty man.

Her boss gave her a hefty raise.

a hefty dose of irony

He gave the door a hefty kick.

Recent Examples on the Web

His second, a collaboration with the Times puzzle editor Tracy Bennett, was a hefty Sunday puzzle rife with just-for-the-hell-of-it wordplay. — New York Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Turner’s equipment consisted of a hefty microphone and two cabinet-like boxes that collectively weighed over 100 pounds. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Nov. 2026

Aroldis Chapman also signed a hefty extension with the team in November 2019. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Investors weren’t kind to the hyperscalers over the past two weeks, scrutinizing their hefty expenses and dwindling cash flows. — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hefty

• carries a hefty price tag
• hefty price tag

Rhymes for hefty

• lefty

Kids Definition

hefty

adjective

ˈhef-tē 

heftier; heftiest

: heavy entry 1 sense 1a, bulky

heftily

-tə-lē 

adverb

heftiness

-tē-nəs 

noun