What does hearted mean?
Hearted is an adjective meaning that someone has a heart in the moral sense: they may be kind, generous, compassionate, courageous, or deeply committed. It is most often encountered in hyphenated compounds such as kind-hearted, open-hearted, light-hearted, tender-hearted, and whole-hearted. The first part of the compound determines the particular quality being described. A kind-hearted person is generous and compassionate; an open-hearted person is welcoming and unguarded; a light-hearted person is cheerful or carefree; and a whole-hearted person is fully committed. Although “hearted” can occasionally stand alone, it often sounds more natural in these established expressions. The word is especially associated with formal, literary, or traditional English, but it remains understandable and widely used in British and American English.
adjectiveHaving or displaying a heart in the moral sense, especially kindness, generosity, courage, or emotional commitment. The word is used chiefly in hyphenated compounds such as kind-hearted, open-hearted, and whole-hearted.
- Having or displaying kindness, generosity, compassion, or emotional commitment.
- Having or displaying a specified kind of courage, spirit, or emotional outlook, as in stout-hearted, light-hearted, or whole-hearted.
"She was known throughout the village for her open-hearted generosity."
"The warm-hearted stranger helped the lost traveler find her way home."
"Despite the difficult conditions, the team remained whole-hearted in its support of the cause."
Hearted does not simply mean 'having a heart'; it usually means having a good, generous, courageous, or committed heart.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hearted come from?
Hearted is formed from the Old English word heart together with the suffix -ed, which here creates an adjective meaning 'having a heart' or 'characterized by a heart.' The suffix is not marking past tense in this use. The same root appears in related words such as hearty, hearten, and heartless, while modern usage has made hearted especially characteristic of compound adjectives expressing moral character or emotional outlook.
How hearted is actually used
Hearted is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, and it is much more common in hyphenated compounds than as an independent adjective. Its meaning depends strongly on the first element of the compound.
Easily confused with hearted
Hearted describes someone who is kind, compassionate, or emotionally committed, whereas hearty more often describes enthusiasm, warmth, robustness, or a cordial manner.