heavy
10 synonyms and 1 antonyms for heavy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having great weight; hard to lift or carry.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Antonyms
How to use heavy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English hefiġ, related to "heave" — something that requires effort to lift.
Full origin of heavy →Frequently asked questions
What does “heavy” mean?
The word “heavy” means having great weight; hard to lift or carry. In plain terms, weighing a lot — and by extension, intense, serious, or (as a noun) a thug or enforcer.
How do you pronounce “heavy”?
“Heavy” is pronounced HEHV-ee (/ˈhɛv.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “heavy” in a sentence?
Here is “heavy” used in a sentence: “The suitcase was too heavy to carry up the stairs.”
What is another word for “heavy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “heavy” include sweer and swear.
What is the opposite of “heavy”?
The opposite of “heavy” — its antonyms — is light.
What part of speech is “heavy”?
Depending on how it is used, “heavy” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “heavy” come from?
The word “heavy” comes from Old English. From Old English hefiġ, related to "heave" — something that requires effort to lift.
Is “heavy” a common word?
“Heavy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between heavy and heaven?
Despite looking alike, they are unrelated. Heavy is an adjective meaning something has great weight and is hard to lift — a heavy box. Heaven is a noun meaning the sky or a paradise in many religions — a star in the heavens. Only the first four letters are shared.
What is the opposite of heavy?
The direct opposite is light, meaning easy to lift or carry. Depending on context, weightless, featherlight, or airy also work. Beyond physical weight, heavy has figurative opposites too: a light mood, a gentle rain, or a mild workload all contrast with heavy ones.
Can something be heavy without being large?
Yes. Weight and size are different things. A small lump of lead or gold can be far heavier than a large box of feathers, because heaviness depends on density — how much mass is packed into a given space — not on how big something looks.