intj
Common
heavens
HEH-vuhnz
Heavens (intj) means an exclamation of surprise or exasperation. Example: “Heavens above, you gave me such a fright creeping in like that!”
intj
1
An exclamation of surprise or exasperation.
"Heavens above, you gave me such a fright creeping in like that!"
"Oh, heavens, I have left my keys on the bus again."
"Good heavens, is that the time already?"
How to use heavens
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned exclamation of shock or surprise, similar to "goodness" or "gosh."
When to use it
Fairly dated/formal-sounding in everyday speech; often used for comic or ironic effect today.
Common pairings
good heavens
heavens above
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_____ above, you gave me such a fright creeping in like that!
Etymology
A variant of Evans.
Synonyms
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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.
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