What does heart mean?
Heart names the hollow muscular organ that pumps blood through the body, but its figurative meanings are at least as important in modern English. To speak from the heart is to express sincere feeling; to have a heart of gold is to be exceptionally kind and generous; and to have heart is to show courage and determination. A heart can also represent the emotional core of a person, the central part of a place or idea, or the deepest feelings associated with love and compassion. Expressions such as “a change of heart,” “break someone's heart,” and “wear your heart on your sleeve” show how the word combines ideas of emotion, sincerity, vulnerability, and resolve. Although “heart” is also used for a playing-card suit and for the central part of a flower, its most characteristic use is moral and emotional. The word remains a powerful example of how ordinary bodily vocabulary is extended to describe human character, affection, and inner life.
The hollow muscular organ that pumps blood around the body; by extension, a person's feelings, courage, love, innermost thoughts, or the central part of something.
"He could not hide the anger in his heart, though he tried to remain calm."
The literal anatomical sense is formal and technical, while figurative senses are common in everyday speech. “At heart” means in one's deepest feelings or in reality, despite what someone may appear to do.
Informally, to love, like, or be very fond of someone or something.
"I heart the sound of rain against the windows."
This use is informal and expressive rather than standard formal prose; it is especially associated with conversational and social-media-style language.
The regular plural is “hearts,” used for multiple physical hearts, emotional or symbolic hearts, and the cards of the heart suit.
"The children made paper hearts for Valentine's Day."
The ancient root behind heart also gave us courage and cordial—showing how closely emotion, bravery, and warmth have always been linked.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How heart is actually used
The noun is standard in both literal and figurative use. “Heart” is warm and often emotional when referring to love, sympathy, or conviction; in expressions such as “change of heart” and “take it to heart,” it can imply a decisive change in attitude or an especially personal reaction. The verb is informal and is usually used with a person, place, or thing as its object.
Easily confused with heart
A hart is a male deer, whereas a heart is the organ associated with feeling and, figuratively, with love or courage.