hefty

adjective

ˈhef-tē How to pronounce hefty (audio)
heftier; heftiest
Synonyms of hefty
1
: quite heavy
a hefty book
2
a
: marked by bigness, bulk, and usually strength
a hefty football player
b
: powerful, mighty
gave the door a hefty shove
c
: impressively large : substantial
hefty portions
a hefty price
heftily
ˈhef-tə-lē How to pronounce hefty (audio)
adverb
heftiness
ˈhef-tē-nəs How to pronounce hefty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of hefty

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Examples of hefty in a Sentence

He was a tall, hefty man. Her boss gave her a hefty raise. a hefty dose of irony He gave the door a hefty kick.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The original Game of Thrones dragon eggs are up for auction and expected to fetch a hefty price. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 One that promised hefty endorsements regardless of his marketability. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Unlike modern sports trading cards, which are not only hefty but often bedazzled with autographs, jersey patches, and random holograms, the Panini stickers are flimsy and meant to be abused. — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 But shareholders have pushed back against hefty pay packages, which come during a period of upheaval in Hollywood that has been buffeted by job losses from media consolidation and outsourcing. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hefty

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hefty was in 1863

Phrases Containing hefty

Rhymes for hefty

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Browse Nearby Words

heftiness
hefty
hefty price tag
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Cite this Entry

“Hefty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hefty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hefty

Nglish: Translation of hefty for Spanish Speakers

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