heap
heep
Heap (noun) means a pile of things gathered or thrown together. Example: “He left his clothes in a heap on the floor.”
noun
1
A pile of things gathered or thrown together.
"He left his clothes in a heap on the floor."
"There was a heap of paperwork waiting on her desk."
"A heap of dead leaves had gathered by the garden gate."
2
Informal: a large amount or number of something.
"We've got heaps of time before the flight."
verb
1
To pile something up, or to give something in large amounts.
"She heaped praise on the whole team after the win."
"He heaped food onto his plate as if he hadn't eaten for days."
"Critics heaped scorn on the badly planned scheme."
How to use heap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pile of things, or informally, a large quantity.
Common pairings
a heap of trouble
heap praise on
heaps of time
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Word forms
- Plural
- heaps
- Third person singular
- heaps
- Past tense
- heaped
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He left his clothes in a _____ on the floor.
Etymology
From Old English hēap, related to words in other Germanic languages meaning "pile" or "hill."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for heap
See all rhymes for heap →Frequently asked questions
What does “heap” mean?
The word “heap” means a pile of things gathered or thrown together. In plain terms, a pile of things, or informally, a large quantity.
How do you pronounce “heap”?
“Heap” is pronounced heep (/hiːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “heap” in a sentence?
Here is “heap” used in a sentence: “He left his clothes in a heap on the floor.”
What is another word for “heap”?
Words with a similar meaning to “heap” include heap up and pile up.
What part of speech is “heap”?
Depending on how it is used, “heap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “heap” come from?
The word “heap” comes from Old English. From Old English hēap, related to words in other Germanic languages meaning "pile" or "hill.".
Is “heap” a common word?
“Heap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “heap” have?
“Heap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pile of things gathered or thrown together.
What is the difference between heap and pile?
Heap and pile both describe things gathered together, but heap often carries a slightly more disorderly or haphazard connotation, while pile can suggest a more orderly stack. In casual speech, though, the two are frequently used interchangeably.
Is heap used informally to mean 'a lot'?
Yes, informally a heap can mean a large amount or number of something, as in 'a heap of trouble' or 'heaps of time.' This figurative use is common in casual British and Australian English especially.
How is heap used as a verb?
As a verb, to heap means to pile things up into a mound, or to give something in large amounts, as in 'heap praise on someone.' Both uses involve the idea of accumulating something in quantity.
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