Heartily
adv.joyful, energeticwarm
Meaning 1
With open warmth, enthusiasm, or vigorous enjoyment.
Reach for it when describing a welcome, laugh, meal, or action done with evident gusto
The hikers ate heartily after the long climb.
Choose between these
4- playful
with gusto
lively enjoyment makes the scene vivid
not when The phrase is too jaunty for solemn praise or a formal endorsement.
- everyday
visible excitement powers the action
not when Enthusiasm can be energetic without the warm sincerity conveyed by heartily.
- warm
affection and friendliness shape the response
not when Warmly may be quiet and restrained rather than vigorous.
- professional
physical energy or force deserves emphasis
not when Vigorous action can feel aggressive and need not be friendly.
Meaning 2
Sincerely and emphatically, especially in agreement or approval.
Reach for it when strengthening a statement of support without suggesting careful qualification
The board heartily endorsed the apprentices' proposal.
Choose between these
3- warm
complete personal commitment is the exact claim
not when Wholeheartedly is stronger and leaves less room for reservation.
- professional
the degree of support should sound direct and measurable
not when Strongly can express opposition as readily as warm approval.
- formal
genuineness matters more than force
not when Sincerity alone does not show the emphatic energy of heartily.
Said against
4- faintly
- listlessly
- halfheartedly
- insincerely
It naturally appears in
3- laugh heartily
Even the conductor began to laugh heartily at the harmless mix-up.
- eat heartily
Everyone began to eat heartily after bringing in the apple harvest.
- heartily recommend
I heartily recommend the quieter riverside route.
The word family
1Where this comes from
- Wiktionary, English adverb sense 1: in a hearty or enthusiastic manner opens in a new tab for meaning 1 · retrieved 2026-07-26
- Wiktionary, English adverb sense 2: sincerely or emphatically opens in a new tab for meaning 2 · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.