heavier; heaviest
1
a
: having great weight : difficult to lift or move
"Is that box too heavy for you to lift?" "No, it's not very heavy."
a heavy suitcase
heavy pots and pans
The truck was carrying a heavy load.
b
: large in size and weight
The man was six feet tall with a heavy build.
a tall, heavy [=(less politely) fat] man
2
: having a particular weight
How heavy is it? [=how much does it weigh?]
3
a
: greater in amount or degree than usual
Turnout for the election is expected to be heavy.
We got caught in heavy traffic.
b
: strong
heavy perfume
heavy winds
c
: great in amount
Heavy rains caused flooding in the area.
heavy bleeding/sweating
She was wearing sunglasses and heavy makeup.
The storm caused heavy damage to the building.
The company is facing heavy losses this quarter.
We suffered heavy casualties. [=many deaths or injuries]
a day of heavy fighting
d
: difficult to accept or bear
They are paying a heavy price for their mistakes.
It is a heavy burden for one person to bear.
: harsh or severe
The stress has taken a heavy toll on his health.
heavy fines/penalties
e
: great in degree or effect
He came under heavy attack/fire for his comments.
She is the heavy favorite to win.
the country's heavy reliance on oil
(chiefly Brit) He caught a heavy cold.
4
: involving a lot of physical effort
an hour of heavy exercise/exertion
Why do I have to do all the heavy work?
I hurt my back and couldn't do any heavy lifting.
—sometimes used figurativelyHe does all the heavy lifting [=difficult work] while his partner gets the recognition.
5
: very loud or forceful
The song has a heavy beat.
There was a heavy knock at the door.
heavy footsteps
He delivered a heavy blow to his opponent.
—often used figurativelyThe new government was dealt a heavy blow.
6
: important and serious
We were having a heavy conversation about our son's future.
This is pretty heavy stuff.
doing some heavy reading/thinking
a heavy thinker
7
: difficult to move or lift up because of tiredness
My legs became heavier with every step.
Her eyelids grew heavy.
8
: dense and thick : having a lot of hair, trees, etc., in a small area
He has a heavy beard.
The animals have shed their heavy winter coats.
areas of forest and heavy brush
heavy fog/smoke
heavy clay soil
9
: made of thick material
a heavy winter coat
heavy blankets
10
: having too much heat, moisture, etc., and not enough fresh air
The air was heavy and still.
The air in the room was heavy with smoke.
the heavy odor of wet dogs
11
a
: showing signs of rain or snow
sailing in heavy weather
a heavy sky
heavy clouds
b
: having large waves
heavy seas
12
: deep and loud
She let out a heavy sigh.
the heavy breathing of a tired runner
Note: The phrase heavy breathing is sometimes used in a joking way to refer to sexual activity.
13
a
: eating, drinking, or using large amounts of something
a heavy eater/drinker/smoker
a cook who has a heavy hand with the salt [=who uses too much salt]
b
: done often and in large amounts
heavy alcohol consumption
Years of heavy smoking had destroyed her lungs.
14
a
: very rich, dense, or thick
fruit in heavy syrup
The bread was a little heavy.
b
: making your stomach feel full
heavy desserts
a heavy breakfast of pancakes and sausage
15
a
: large and powerful
heavy machinery/equipment
the army's tanks and heavy artillery
He flew heavy bombers in World War II.
b
of a group of soldiers
: having more weapons and armor than other groups
heavy infantry/cavalry
16
of a person's accent
: very easy to notice
She spoke French/English/German with a heavy [=thick] accent.
: in a heavy way : heavily
The smoke hung/lay heavy in the air.
The decision weighs heavy on my mind. [=the decision is difficult and causes me to feel worried]
plural heavies
1
: a bad person in a movie or play : villain
He played the heavy in film after film.
2
US, informal
: a person or thing that is serious, important, or powerful : heavyweight
The conference will be attended by several media heavies.
They have become one of the industry heavies.
Cite this Entry
“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/heavy. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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