Hearty

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)ti

Full definition of hearty

Adjective

1. Pertaining to, or proceeding from, the heart; warm; cordial; bold; zealous; sincere; willing; also, energetic; active; eager.
   a hearty welcome;  hearty in supporting the government.
• unknown date MarstonFull of hearty tears For our good father's loss.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 5, Then we relapsed into a discomfited silence, and wished we were anywhere else. But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud, and with such a hearty enjoyment that instead of getting angry and more mortified we began to laugh ourselves, and instantly felt better.
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, “… the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
    Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer,
  With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. …”
2. Exhibiting strength; sound; healthy; firm; not weak.
   a hearty handshake;  a hearty timber
3. Promoting strength; nourishing; rich; abundant.
   hearty food;  a hearty meal

Derived terms

• heartily
• heartiness

Synonyms

• sincere; real; unfeigned; undissembled; cordial; earnest; warm; zealous; ardent; eager; active; vigorous.

Noun

1. (obsolete or jocular nautical) a term of familiar address and fellowship among sailors.
• 1849, Herman Melville, Chapter VI“Ay, ay,” muttered the chief mate, as they rolled out of then-boats and swaggered on deck, “it’s your turn now, but it will be mine before long. Yaw about while you may, my hearties, I’ll do the yawing after the anchor’s up.”

Anagrams

• aethyr, earthy, yearth