heavens
4 synonyms for heavens, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Intj — An exclamation of surprise or exasperation.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
goodness gracious
my word
How to use heavens
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
good heavens
heavens above
Fairly dated/formal-sounding in everyday speech; often used for comic or ironic effect today.
Etymology
A variant of Evans.
Full origin of heavens →Frequently asked questions
What does “heavens” mean?
The word “heavens” means an exclamation of surprise or exasperation. In plain terms, an old-fashioned exclamation of shock or surprise, similar to "goodness" or "gosh.".
How do you pronounce “heavens”?
“Heavens” is pronounced HEH-vuhnz (/ˈhɛvənz/ in IPA).
How do you use “heavens” in a sentence?
Here is “heavens” used in a sentence: “Good heavens, is that the time already?”
What part of speech is “heavens”?
“Heavens” is an intj.
Is “heavens” a common word?
“Heavens” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does saying "heavens" mean as an exclamation?
As an exclamation, "heavens" expresses surprise, shock, or exasperation, similar to saying "goodness" or "good grief." It is often extended into phrases like "good heavens" or "heavens above" for extra emphasis.
Is "heavens" as an exclamation formal or old-fashioned?
The exclamatory use of "heavens" has a slightly old-fashioned or theatrical feel in modern English and is more common in British speech than American. It is still understood everywhere but tends to sound more dramatic than neutral alternatives like "wow" or "oh my."
What is the difference between "heavens" the exclamation and "heaven" as a noun?
"Heaven" as a singular noun refers to the place or state associated with the afterlife or the sky, while "heavens" used as an exclamation is a fixed interjection expressing surprise or exasperation. The plural exclamatory form does not function as a normal noun in that use.
