Heavier
/ˈhɛviər/
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving greater weight or density than something else.
/ˈhɛviər/
Comparative form of heavy; greater in weight or density.
This box is heavier than that one.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding two bags of groceries. One bag is filled with a lot of heavy things like cans and bottles, while the other only has a few light items. The bag with the heavy items is, you guessed it, heavier!
👶 For kids: If something is heavier, it means it weighs more than something else.
More Examples
The rain made the air feel heavier.
The larger package was noticeably heavier.
How It's Used
"The suitcase felt much heavier than I expected."
"The heavier elements are found at the bottom of the periodic table."
More difficult to bear or deal with; more serious.
/ˈhɛviər/
More severe or burdensome.
The economic downturn placed a heavier burden on the family.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a big problem, like a super hard math test or a broken toy. If a problem seems really tough and makes you feel stressed or worried, we could say the problem is heavier.
👶 For kids: If something is heavier, it means it's more difficult or worse than something else.
More Examples
The loss of his job brought heavier worries.
The accusations brought against him were heavier than anticipated.
How It's Used
"The consequences of his actions were heavier than anticipated."
"The judge imposed a heavier sentence due to the defendant's previous record."
From Middle English hevier, comparative of heavy, from Old English hefig (weighty, heavy), from Proto-Germanic *habīgaz.
The word 'heavier' has been used in English since the Middle Ages, adapting from the comparative form of 'heavy' to describe greater weight or significance.
Memory tip
Think of lifting two things. The one that is more difficult to lift is the heavier one.
Word Origin
"heavy, weighty"