heartier; heartiest
1
: done or expressed in a very open, cheerful, and energetic way
He gave us all a hearty welcome/greeting.
Our plan won their hearty [=wholehearted] approval.
a hearty laugh/handshake
2
: strong, healthy, and active
hearty young men and women
His grandmother remains hale and hearty in her old age.
All of the children have hearty appetites. = All of the children are hearty eaters. [=all of the children eat large amounts of food]
3
: large enough to satisfy hunger
a hearty meal
hearty soups
Cite this Entry
“Hearty.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/hearty. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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