adj
heaving
HEE-vihng
Heaving (adj) means Informal: very crowded. Example: “The bar was heaving by midnight.”
adj
1
Informal: very crowded.
"Gem Concannon, 36, from Northwich in Cheshire, said the town was “heaving”, adding: “Hardly anyone was wearing masks or social distancing. It was shocking. I’ve never seen it that busy before.”"
— Josh Halliday, Health official urges people not to flock to 'heaving' Blackpool (2020)
""You know what Paddington is like when it's absolutely heaving. There is nowhere for kids. You're holding their hands, you're holding the luggage, you're trying to move the pram, you're working out where to go. It really is quite stressful."
— Paul Clifton, A demand for family-friendly trains (2022)
"The bar was heaving by midnight."
"It is the opening weekend of the 25 Hours Bikini hotel and, despite being only one day old, the restaurant is fully booked and the bar's heaving."
— Will Coldwell, 25 Hours Bikini hotel: Berlin's latest hipster hangout (2014)
2
Rising and falling noticeably, especially from strong emotion or effort.
"Her chest was heaving after the sprint."
How to use heaving
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "packed with people" (informal British usage) or visibly rising and falling.
When to use it
"Heaving" meaning crowded is informal British English.
Common pairings
heaving with people
heaving crowds
a heaving chest
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like heaving.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- heavings
- Comparative
- more heaving
- Superlative
- most heaving
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bar was _____ by midnight.
Rhymes for heaving
See all rhymes for heaving →Frequently asked questions
What does “heaving” mean?
The word “heaving” means informal: very crowded. In plain terms, either "packed with people" (informal British usage) or visibly rising and falling.
How do you pronounce “heaving”?
“Heaving” is pronounced HEE-vihng (/ˈhiːvɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “heaving” in a sentence?
Here is “heaving” used in a sentence: “The bar was heaving by midnight.”
What part of speech is “heaving”?
“Heaving” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “heaving” have?
“Heaving” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: very crowded.
