hearty

[hahr-tee]

adjective

heartier, heartiest 

1. warm-hearted; affectionate; cordial; jovial.

   a hearty welcome.

2. genuine; sincere; heartfelt.

   hearty approval; hearty dislike.

3. completely devoted; wholehearted.

   hearty support.

4. exuberant; unrestrained.

   hearty laughter.

5. violent; forceful.

   a hearty push; a hearty kick.

6. physically vigorous; strong and well.

   hale and hearty.

7. substantial; abundant; nourishing.

   a hearty meal.

8. enjoying or requiring abundant food.

   a hearty appetite.

9. (of soil) fertile.

noun

Archaic.

plural

hearties 

1. a brave or good fellow, especially with reference to a shipmate.

2. a sailor.

hearty

/ ˈhɑːtɪ /

adjective

1. warm and unreserved in manner or behaviour

2. vigorous and enthusiastic

   a hearty slap on the back

3. sincere and heartfelt

   hearty dislike

4. healthy and strong (esp in the phrase hale and hearty )

5. substantial and nourishing

noun

1. a comrade, esp a sailor

2. a vigorous sporting man

   a rugby hearty

Other Word Forms

• heartiness noun
• overheartiness noun
• overhearty adjective
• quasi-hearty adjective
• superheartiness noun
• superhearty adjective
• unhearty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hearty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, hearty is from the Middle English word herti. See heart, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see hale and hearty.

Example Sentences

"It's his laugh, right? He has such a hearty laugh. And sometimes you'll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and I just get transported."

From BBC

These are a snacking staple that can be easily paired with boxed fruit juice and a hearty sandwich to make a complete meal.

From Salon

After a hearty conversation, the man reached out his hand, and Larson immediately pulled him into a big hug.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a whole lot more going on than a hearty appreciation of sheep, interlaced, rolling hills and Iron Age forts.

From Salon

There are also large numbers of hearty Springsteen fans from scores of countries who use their entire yearly allotment of vacation to follow him from show to show across the continent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cheery 
• cordial 
• ebullient 
• exuberant 
• generous 
• genial 
• genuine 
• heartfelt 
• passionate 
• sincere 
• warm