Heart
/hɑːrt/
Definitions
5 meaningsThe muscular organ in humans and other animals that pumps blood throughout the body.
/hɑːrt/
The organ in the chest that pumps blood.
The doctor checked her heart rate.
💡 Simply: It's like a pump in your chest that sends blood all around your body. Every time it beats, it pushes blood through all the tubes, keeping you alive!
👶 For kids: It's a pump in your body that helps the blood go around!
More Examples
The surgeon performed open-heart surgery.
A healthy heart is essential for a long life.
How It's Used
"The doctor listened to the patient's heart with a stethoscope."
"The heart is a vital organ."
The emotional or spiritual center of a person.
/hɑːrt/
The center of a person's emotions or feelings.
He poured his heart into his work.
💡 Simply: It’s where all your feelings are located – love, sadness, anger, everything! It’s what makes you feel.
👶 For kids: It's where you feel happy, sad, or mad!
More Examples
She had a change of heart.
My heart aches for those who are suffering.
How It's Used
"Her words touched his heart."
"She spoke from the heart."
The central or most important part of something.
/hɑːrt/
The central or most important part.
The heart of the matter is his dishonesty.
💡 Simply: The most important part or the middle of something. Like the heart of a pizza is the cheesy, saucy part!
👶 For kids: The most important or the middle of something.
More Examples
The heart of the problem lies in poor communication.
The heart of the argument was about money.
How It's Used
"The heart of the city is the historic district."
"Remove the heart of the lettuce before using it in a salad"
One of the four suits in a deck of playing cards, represented by a red heart shape.
/hɑːrt/
A playing card suit.
He led with the ace of hearts.
💡 Simply: It’s one of the symbols on a deck of cards. The red, heart-shaped symbol.
👶 For kids: The red shape on some playing cards.
More Examples
She needed a heart to win the hand.
Hearts is a card game.
How It's Used
"The queen of hearts is a valuable card."
To give someone courage or confidence.
/hɑːrt/
To encourage or embolden.
The good news heartened the team.
💡 Simply: To make someone feel braver or more confident to do something. Like when your best friend cheers you up when you're nervous.
👶 For kids: To make someone feel brave and happy.
More Examples
Heartened by their success, they redoubled their efforts.
The victory heartened the crowd.
How It's Used
"Heartened by the support of his friends, he continued his quest."
Synonyms
Emotions
Feelings
Center
Core
Essence
Cheer
Encourage
Idioms & expressions
heart of gold
A kind and generous person.
"She has a heart of gold; she always helps those in need."
from the bottom of my heart
Sincerely; with deep and genuine emotion.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
break someone's heart
To cause someone deep sadness or emotional pain.
"It broke his heart when she left him."
have a change of heart
To change one's mind about something, usually after feeling guilty or realizing a mistake.
"He had a change of heart and decided to donate the money to charity."
From Old English *heorte*, from Proto-Germanic *hertō*, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱḗr (meaning 'heart').
The word 'heart' has been used since Old English times to refer to both the physical organ and the seat of emotions and intellect.
Memory tip
Think of the organ that keeps you alive and beating.