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.
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.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| playful | ||
| everyday | ||
| warm |
| |
| professional | ||
| formal |
|
playful
with gusto
Fits when lively enjoyment makes the scene vivid
Careful The phrase is too jaunty for solemn praise or a formal endorsement.
everyday
Fits when visible excitement powers the action
Careful Enthusiasm can be energetic without the warm sincerity conveyed by heartily.
warm
Fits when affection and friendliness shape the response
Careful Warmly may be quiet and restrained rather than vigorous.
professional
Fits when physical energy or force deserves emphasis
Careful Vigorous action can feel aggressive and need not be friendly.
warm
Fits when complete personal commitment is the exact claim
Careful Wholeheartedly is stronger and leaves less room for reservation.
professional
Fits when the degree of support should sound direct and measurable
Careful Strongly can express opposition as readily as warm approval.
formal
Fits when genuineness matters more than force
Careful Sincerity alone does not show the emphatic energy of heartily.
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.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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