interjection
Common
heck
hehk
Heck (interjection) means a mild, family-friendly substitute for "hell," used to express frustration or surprise. Example: “Heck, I never thought the bus would arrive this early today!”
interjection
1
A mild, family-friendly substitute for "hell," used to express frustration or surprise.
"Heck, I never thought the bus would arrive this early today!"
"What the heck is going on in here?"
"Oh heck, I forgot my keys again."
noun
1
Used in mild exclamations or emphatic phrases, standing in for "hell."
"Who the heck left all these muddy boots in the hallway?"
"It scared the heck out of me."
"We had a heck of a time finding parking."
How to use heck
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite way of saying "hell" when you want to swear a little without actually swearing.
When to use it
Informal and considered acceptable in places actual profanity wouldn't be, including around children.
Common pairings
what the heck
a heck of a
heck no
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Word forms
- Plural
- hecks
- Third person singular
- hecks
- Past tense
- hecked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, I never thought the bus would arrive this early today!
Etymology
A late-19th-century northern English dialect softening of "hell," used to swear without actually swearing.
Class of 1800
heck joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for heck
See all rhymes for heck →Frequently asked questions
What does “heck” mean?
The word “heck” means a mild, family-friendly substitute for "hell," used to express frustration or surprise. In plain terms, a polite way of saying "hell" when you want to swear a little without actually swearing.
How do you pronounce “heck”?
“Heck” is pronounced hehk (/hɛk/ in IPA).
How do you use “heck” in a sentence?
Here is “heck” used in a sentence: “What the heck is going on in here?”
What part of speech is “heck”?
Depending on how it is used, “heck” can be an interjection and a noun.
Where does the word “heck” come from?
The word “heck” dates back to around 1800. A late-19th-century northern English dialect softening of "hell," used to swear without actually swearing.
Is “heck” a common word?
“Heck” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “heck” have?
“Heck” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mild, family-friendly substitute for "hell," used to express frustration or surprise.
Is heck a bad word?
No. Heck is a mild, family-friendly substitute for "hell," used to express frustration or surprise, and it is generally acceptable in polite company, on television, and around children. Only very conservative settings are likely to object to it.
What is the difference between heck and hell in exclamations?
In exclamations like "what the heck," heck is a softened stand-in for hell, carrying the same emphasis with far less offence. Choose heck when you want to keep language family-friendly and reserve the stronger word for contexts where it will not offend.
Is heck acceptable in formal writing?
Heck is conversational and informal, so it is out of place in formal reports, academic writing, and professional correspondence. It works well in dialogue, casual writing, and any context aiming for a light, family-friendly tone.
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