What does bighearted mean?
"Bighearted" is an adjective describing someone who is notably generous and kind — a person whose goodwill extends easily and warmly toward others. A bighearted individual gives freely, whether of money, time, encouragement, or forgiveness, and does so without calculation or expectation of return. The word is built transparently from "big" plus "hearted," literally suggesting a heart large enough to accommodate many people's needs. It carries an unambiguously positive, affectionate connotation and sits in a comfortably informal register: you might call a neighbor bighearted for shoveling everyone's driveway, while a charity's founder might more formally be described as philanthropic. Common contexts include tributes, obituaries, character descriptions, and everyday praise. Related forms include the adverb "bigheartedly" and the noun "bigheartedness." For anyone seeking a warm, human word for generosity of spirit — as opposed to mere wealth — "bighearted" is a precise and endearing choice.
adjectiveGenerous and kind; characterized by a willingness to give freely of one's time, money, or affection.
- Generous, kind, and charitable in nature; willing to give freely.
"The bighearted donor quietly funded the entire renovation of the community library."
"She was bighearted enough to forgive him before he'd even finished apologizing."
"The team's bighearted captain stayed late every practice to help struggling newcomers."
It's the rare compliment that praises not your talent or your looks, but simply how much room your heart has left for other people.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bighearted
"Bighearted" is a straightforward English compound formed from the adjective "big" (of Middle English origin, likely Scandinavian in influence) combined with "hearted," itself derived from "heart" (Old English "heorte") plus the suffix "-ed" indicating possession or endowment. The compound follows a productive English pattern that also yields words such as "kindhearted," "wholehearted," and "fainthearted." It emerged in English usage by the nineteenth century as part of this family of heart-based character compounds. Its components are entirely native Germanic, giving it no Latin or Greek cognates but strong kinship with the other "-hearted" formations.
Related word forms
How bighearted is actually used
Informal-to-neutral in register; warmer and more affectionate than formal synonyms like "benevolent" or "philanthropic." Almost always used approvingly.
Easily confused with bighearted
"Wholehearted" means completely sincere or enthusiastic, while "bighearted" means generous and charitable in spirit.