American Dictionary

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Definition heavy in American English

heavy adjective

adjective
/ˈhevi/
1

a heavy object weighs a lot

Example

She was struggling with a heavy suitcase.

Example

Careful, that box is pretty heavy.

Example

You should soon be able to train with the heavier weights.

Example

a big heavy door

Example

He was a big man, too heavy for the nurses to lift.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

heavy clothes, shoes, or materials are thick and strong

Example

a heavy black overcoat

Example

heavy silk curtains

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1.2

used when talking about how much someone or something weighs

Example

The box was heavier than I'd expected.

Example

How heavy is the box?

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2

used for saying that there is a lot of something

Example

Traffic is particularly heavy on the interstate tonight.

Example

He had a very heavy workload.

Example

The school places a heavy emphasis on children's musical development.

Example

Weather conditions were appalling, with heavy rain and strong winds.

Example

Her book shows a heavy reliance on the work of Dr. Winston.

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2.1

used for saying that something involves a lot of people, things, or money

Example

The conflict caused heavy casualties on both sides.

Example

The company's heavy losses will lead to many redundancies.

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2.2

using or containing a lot of something

Example

The main course was very heavy on the garlic.

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2.3

containing a lot of something

Example

Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

Example

The air was heavy with all the scents of summer.

Example

The trees were heavy with blossoms.

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Example

They did most of the heavy work in the cool of the morning.

Example

The steering on this car is much heavier than on the other one.

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4

a heavy silence is not comfortable because there is a feeling of anger between people

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5

a heavy smell is sweet and strong

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6

used about things that look ugly because they are big

Example

He was a tall dark man, with heavy features.

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6.1

used about a way of moving that is slow and not graceful

Example

He broke into a heavy loping run.

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7

using a lot of bombs, guns, or other weapons

Example

Industrial areas came under heavy bombardment.

Example

reports of heavy air strikes on the capital

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7.1

a heavy blow is done with a lot of physical force

Example

He received a heavy blow to the head.

Synonyms and related words
Example

She could hear Bill's heavy footsteps upstairs.

Example

Her father's had a heavy fall.

Example

His mother gave a heavy sigh of disapproval.

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8

if a part of your body feels heavy, it is not comfortable and you cannot move it easily

Example

His legs felt as heavy as concrete.

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8.1

if your eyes look heavy, they have a sad or tired expression

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9

very severe

Example

She's paid a heavy price for her stupidity.

Example

He's got a heavy cold and is feeling terrible.

Example

Her sadness was a heavy burden for him to bear.

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10

serious and difficult

Example

I found his new book a bit heavy.

Example

Her speech was heavy stuff, with references to philosophy and psychology.

Synonyms and related words
10.1

a heavy situation or relationship is serious and often not enjoyable

Example

She felt their relationship was getting too heavy.

Example

We don't want any heavy stuff (=anything serious or complicated).

10.2

serious and threatening

Example

Things were getting a little heavy, so I quickly left.

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11

a heavy noise is deep and low

Example

There was a heavy thud as his body hit the floor.

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12

if the air is heavy, it is warm in a sticky unpleasant way, especially before rain or a storm

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13

if the sky is heavy, or the clouds are heavy, the sky is dark and it looks as though it will rain

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14

a heavy ocean is rough with big waves

Example

The ship went down in heavy sailing conditions off the coast of Norway.

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15

food that is heavy is solid and not enjoyable

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15.1

a heavy meal is a little too large and you seem to feel it in your stomach for a long time after you have eaten it

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16

ground that is heavy is wet and muddy, so that it is difficult to walk or travel over it

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16.1

heavy soil sticks together and is difficult to dig into

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17

if your heart is heavy, you feel sad

Example

He went away with a heavy heart.

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18

very heavy

Example

My legs were as heavy as lead in the morning.

Definition heavy in American English