heavily
heavily
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "heavily" is /ˈhɛvɪli/.
Heav-: /hɛv/
/h/: voiceless glottal fricative
/ɛ/: open-mid front unrounded vowel
/v/: voiced labiodental fricative
-i-: /ɪ/
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
-ly: /li/
/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/i/: close front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
There are no word form variations (like singular/plural) for the adverb "heavily" itself. However, it is derived from the adjective "heavy." Here are the related word form variations:
Adjective: heavy (positive), heavier (comparative), heaviest (superlative)
Noun: heaviness
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition: With great weight or force; in a manner that exerts significant downward pressure.
Synonyms: ponderously, weightily, forcefully, crushingly
Antonyms: lightly, gently, airily
Definition: To a great extent, degree, or intensity; with a large amount or strong impact.
Synonyms: greatly, intensely, deeply, severely, considerably, profoundly
Antonyms: slightly, mildly, barely, negligibly
Definition: With difficulty or labor; in a way that shows struggle or effort, often due to burden or oppression.
Synonyms: arduously, strenuously, laboriously, ponderously
Antonyms: easily, effortlessly, smoothly, freely
Definition: In a slow or sluggish manner, often due to being weighed down or burdened.
Synonyms: sluggishly, slowly, ponderously, cumbersome
Antonyms: quickly, rapidly, swiftly, agilely
Definition: With a feeling of sadness, sorrow, or dejection. (Often used metaphorically, as in "sighing heavily.")
Synonyms: sadly, sorrowfully, mournfully, dejectedly
Antonyms: lightly, cheerfully, joyfully, gaily
Examples of Use
Books:
"The rain beat down heavily on the corrugated iron roof, a relentless drumming that made conversation difficult." (Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart, 1958)
"He breathed heavily, the scent of whiskey and sweat thick in the small room." (Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl, 2012)
Newspapers:
"Traffic was heavily congested on Mombasa Road this morning due to an overturned lorry near the General Motors interchange." ( Daily Nation, June 2025)
"The government has invested heavily in renewable energy projects, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels." (The Standard, May 2025)
Online Publications:
"The new cybersecurity regulations will impact companies heavily, requiring significant infrastructure upgrades and employee training." (TechCrunch.com, April 2025)
"Experts warn that climate change will continue to affect agricultural yields heavily in many parts of the world." (CarbonBrief.org, March 2025)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In The Dark Knight (2008), after a strenuous fight, Batman is often depicted breathing heavily, conveying his physical exertion.
Music: The lyrics of some blues and rock songs might describe a character "leaning heavily on the bar" or a burden "weighing heavily on their mind."
Television: A news report on a natural disaster might describe an area "heavily damaged by the storm." (e.g., CNN, February 2025)
Video Games: In games like Red Dead Redemption 2, characters might stagger and breathe heavily when injured or exhausted, impacting gameplay.
General Public Discourse:
"My final exams are weighing heavily on my mind right now." (Common colloquial usage)
"She was dressed heavily for the cold weather." (Everyday conversation)
"The new policy relies heavily on public cooperation." (Discussion on public affairs)
10 Quotes Using Heavily
"The past always weighs heavily on the present." (Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah)
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." This sentiment, often attributed to Shakespeare, implies a burden that weighs heavily.
"Conscience doth make cowards of us all." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet) - While not using "heavily," the concept of conscience weighing heavily is embedded.
"Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince) - This alludes to the feeling of a heart weighing heavily.
"The world weighs heavily on my shoulders, but my spirit is light." (Original quote)
"Words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within." (Alfred Lord Tennyson) - While not explicit, the unsaid can weigh heavily.
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton) - The responsibilities of power can weigh heavily.
"The greatest burden a child can bear is the unlived life of a parent." (Carl Jung) - This "burden" weighs heavily.
"The weight of the world is love. Under the burden of solitude, under the burden of dissatisfaction, the weight, the weight we carry is love." (Allen Ginsberg, Howl) - While "weight" is used, it implies a feeling that can press heavily.
"The future is uncertain, but it weighs heavily on our minds." (Original quote)
Etymology
The word "heavily" comes from the Old English word "hefiglice." Let's break that down:
"hefig": This part means "heavy." It described something that had a lot of weight, was difficult to lift, or was serious or important.
"-lice": This ending is similar to our modern English "-ly" and it turns an adjective into an adverb. So, if "hefig" meant "heavy," then "hefiglice" meant "in a heavy manner."
So, essentially, "heavily" has pretty much meant the same thing throughout its history: doing something in a heavy way.
Its first known use with a meaning similar to what we understand today, referring to something done with great weight or difficulty, dates back to before the 12th century. Old English texts show it being used to describe things like a heavy blow, or someone sighing with great effort or sadness.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Heavily
To weigh heavily on someone's mind/heart: To cause someone a lot of worry, sadness, or concern.
To lean heavily on something/someone: To rely strongly or depend greatly on something or someone.
To fall heavily: To drop with significant force or impact.
To breathe heavily: To take deep, labored breaths, usually due to exertion or distress.
To invest heavily in something: To put a large amount of money, effort, or resources into something.
Heavily armored: Protected with thick, substantial defensive plating.
Heavily-laden: Carrying a very large or burdensome load.
To come down heavily on someone: To criticize or punish someone severely.
To contribute heavily: To provide a substantial or significant amount.
To bear a heavy burden: To carry a significant responsibility or difficulty. (Uses a synonym for similar effect)
A heavy heart: A feeling of sadness or sorrow. (Uses a synonym for similar effect)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of heavily from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
