High-hearted
adj.resilient, kindliterary
What it means
Noble, courageous, and generous in spirit.
Reach for it when using elevated or historical language for brave magnanimity
The high-hearted captain defended the crew before accepting any praise.
Choose between these
5- everyday
freely giving credit, time, or resources is the exact quality
not when Generous is broader and lacks high-hearted's brave moral spirit.
- warm
unselfish moral purpose deserves elevated praise
not when Noble can sound grand, hereditary, or vague without a specific act.
- professional
action despite fear or risk should be stated directly
not when Courageous says nothing about generosity or nobility of aim.
- formal
generosity toward a rival or weaker party is central
not when Magnanimous concerns large-minded treatment, not necessarily courage.
- literary
brave and courteous conduct suits historical prose
not when Gallant is dated and can carry gendered or romantic overtones.
Said against
3- mean-spirited
- cowardly
- base
It naturally appears in
3- high-hearted leader
The high-hearted leader shared credit with every local organizer.
- high-hearted courage
High-hearted courage kept the protest peaceful under provocation.
- remain high-hearted
She remained high-hearted even toward the rival who had mocked her.
Where this comes from
High-hearted is rare and old-fashioned. Noble, generous, or courageous will usually be clearer.
- Wiktionary, English adjective sense: noble, courageous, or magnanimous opens in a new tab · 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.