Pronunciation

/haːrt/

Definitions

• Noun: The organ in the body that pumps blood through the circulatory system, typically regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions. For example: “The surgeon performed a bypass on his blocked heart.”

  • Metaphorical use: “She poured her heart out to him about her fears.”

• Verb (transitive): To love or cherish deeply; to have great affection for. For example: “I really heart this city; it feels like home.”

• Noun (figurative): The emotional or moral core of a person; their innermost being. For example: “His story touched my heart.”

Phrases

• “To have a change of heart” means to suddenly decide to do something different from what was originally intended or planned.
• “To break someone’s heart” means to cause deep emotional pain or disappointment.
• “Heart and soul” refers to complete involvement, commitment, or enthusiasm.
• “Heartfelt” describes something that comes from genuine emotion or sincerity.
• “To take heart” means to regain courage or confidence.

Example Sentences

• Noun (physical organ): “Regular exercise strengthens your heart muscle.”
• Verb (to love): “She hearts her family above all else.”
• Noun (figurative): “The experience left a lasting mark on his heart.”

Synonyms

• Love
• Affection
• Adoration
• Devotion
• Emotion
• Feelings
• Core
• Essence
• Spirit

In idiomatic expressions:

• In place of ‘heart’, one might also use ‘heartstrings’ to refer to deep emotional ties or susceptibilities.
• As a verb, ‘cherish’, ‘adore’, or ‘treasure’ can be synonyms when used to express deep affection or fondness.