What does openhearted mean?
Openhearted is an adjective describing a person, attitude, or manner that is frank, sincere, and generous. It implies a willingness to communicate without suspicion, defensiveness, or excessive reserve, as in an openhearted welcome or an openhearted response to someone’s concerns. The word often carries a strongly positive emotional tone and suggests warmth, trust, and goodwill. It is similar to candid and sincere in its emphasis on honesty, but it also conveys an active generosity toward other people. Openhearted should not be confused with open-minded, which concerns receptiveness to new ideas, or open-handed, which more often describes generosity with money, time, or resources. In general use, the term is natural and widely understood, though it is somewhat literary or warmly expressive rather than strictly neutral.
adjectiveOpenhearted means frank, sincere, and generous in attitude, without suspicion or reserve.
- Frank, sincere, and generous in attitude, without suspicion or reserve.
"Her openhearted welcome immediately put the new visitors at ease."
"She was openhearted enough to share her concerns with the entire group."
"The team's openhearted response to the proposal made collaboration much easier."
Openhearted combines outward openness with the warmth of the heart, describing a generosity that invites trust.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of openhearted
Openhearted is a compound formed from open and heart, with the suffix -ed added to the second element. The expression has been used in English since at least the early 19th century, developing from the idea of a heart that is not closed or guarded. Its core vocabulary elements belong to the Germanic and Old English traditions of English.
Related word forms
How openhearted is actually used
Generally warm and approving. It can suggest friendliness and emotional openness, but does not necessarily mean that someone is naïve or willing to accept every idea.
Easily confused with openhearted
Openhearted describes a warm, candid, and generous attitude, whereas open-minded describes willingness to consider new or different ideas.
Open-hearted refers to sincerity and emotional openness, while open-handed usually refers to generosity or willingness to share resources.