heavier; heaviest
1
a
: having great weight
also
: characterized by mass or weight
how heavy is it?
b
: having a high specific gravity : having great weight in proportion to bulk
Lead and gold are heavy metals.
c(1)
of an isotope
: having or being atoms of greater than normal mass for that element
heavy carbons
(2)
of a chemical compound
: containing heavy isotopes
heavy ammonia
2
: difficult to bear
specifically
: causing or characterized by severe pain or suffering
a heavy sorrow
3
: of weighty import : serious
heavy consequences
4
: characterized by depth or intensity : profound
a heavy silence
6
7
: dulled with weariness : drowsy
eyes were growing heavy
8
: greater in quantity or quality than the average of its kind or class: such as
a
: of unusually large size or amount
a heavy turnout
b
: of great force
heavy seas
c
: threatening to rain or snow
a heavy sky
heavy clouds
d(1)
: impeding motion
heavy traffic
(2)
: full of clay and inclined to hold water
heavy soil
e
: coming as if from a depth : loud
heavy breathing
g
: oppressive, overwhelming
heavy perfume
heavy weather
rule with a heavy hand
j
: immoderate
a heavy smoker
k
: more powerful than usual for its kind
a heavy cavalry
a heavy cruiser
l
: of large capacity or output
a heavy pump
9
a
: very rich and hard to digest
heavy desserts
b
: not properly raised or leavened
heavy bread
10
: producing goods (such as coal, steel, or chemicals) used in the production of other goods
heavy industry
11
a
: having stress (see stress entry 1 sense 5a)
a heavy rhythm
—used especially of syllables in accentual verse
b
: being the strongest degree of stress in speech
the heavy stress on the first syllable of basketball
12
: relating to theatrical parts of a grave or somber nature
playing heavy roles
13
: possessing a high degree or a great deal of something specified : long
heavy on ideas
heaviness
noun
: to a great or overwhelming degree
weighed heavy on her mind
: with or as if with great weight : in a heavy manner : heavily
Clouds hung heavy in the sky.
plural heavies
Examples of heavy in a Sentence
Adjective
“Is that box too heavy for you to lift?” “No, it's not very heavy.”
The truck was carrying a heavy load.
The man was six feet tall with a heavy build.
Turnout for the election is expected to be heavy.
We got caught in heavy traffic.
Heavy rains caused flooding in the area.
She was wearing sunglasses and heavy makeup.
The storm caused heavy damage to the building.
The company is facing heavy losses this quarter.
a day of heavy fighting
Adverb
The smoke hung heavy in the air.
Noun
He played the heavy in film after film.
The conference will be attended by several media heavies.
They have become one of the industry heavies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The heavy-hitting ingredients behind all this?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The shift to bonds may indicate investors are rebalancing to keep their asset allocations from getting too stock-heavy, Austin said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
And if your gifts are on the heavier side, think homemade treats, books, or candles; flat-rate boxes can be your best friend since the price stays the same no matter how far the package travels.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The First Lady demanded an apology, as well, as the litigious and heavy-handed Trumps are apt to do, cash – or else.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
The heavy-hitting ingredients behind all this?
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
If the Rockets go big-heavy often, Reed Sheppard loses some shine.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
The shift to bonds may indicate investors are rebalancing to keep their asset allocations from getting too stock-heavy, Austin said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy
Cite this Entry
“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heavy
1 of 3 adjective
heavier; heaviest
1
a
: having great weight or greater than usual weight
b
: weighty in proportion to bulk : having a high density
gold is a heavy metal
c
: having or being atoms of greater than normal mass
heavy isotopes
2
: very hard to deal with : grievous
a heavy sorrow
3
: of weighty importance : serious
words heavy with meaning
4
: lacking life, gaiety, or charm : dull
5
6
: greater in volume, force, or power than the average
heavy traffic
heavy seas
heavy infantry
7
: overcast entry 2
a heavy sky
8
: laborious sense 2, labored
heavy breathing
9
: using or consuming much
a heavy eater
10
: rich and not easily digested
heavy desserts
11
: producing goods (as coal or steel) used in the production of other goods
heavy industry
heavily
adverb
ˈhev-ə-lē
heaviness
noun
ˈhev-ē-nəs
heavy
2 of 3 adverb
: in a heavy manner : heavily
time hung heavy on their hands
heavy
3 of 3 noun
plural heavies
2
a
: a theatrical role or an actor representing a dignified or impressive person
b
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