heavily
/ˈhevɪli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhevɪli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhe-və-lē/ (ame, mw)
heavily — adverb
1. to an unusually large extent, especially when describing quantities, levels of i
to an unusually large extent, especially when describing quantities, levels of involvement, or dependence
The coastal region relies heavily on tourism for jobs and income.
rely heavily on [something]
Gabriela was heavily involved in organising the school's annual concert.
be heavily involved in [activity]
The heavily armed soldiers stood at every entrance of the building.
Ryan relied heavily on his notes during the presentation.
Areas near the airport are heavily populated, so noise is a real problem for residents.
- greatly
more neutral and broader in use; fits emotional reactions like 'greatly appreciated'
- considerably
suggests a measurable or noticeable difference; common in comparisons
- substantially
emphasises real, often numerical or material change
文法句型
heavily + past participle
verb + heavily
heavily + adjective (dependent, involved)
用法筆記
Frequently appears before past participles of verbs describing distribution, involvement, or dependence (populated, guarded, armed, subsidised). Not used with adjectives that express pure emotion — 'very happy' rather than 'heavily happy'.
常見錯誤
2. involving a noticeable amount of physical weight or force, so that a movement, a
involving a noticeable amount of physical weight or force, so that a movement, action, or impact feels heavy
Ravindra was breathing heavily after running up three flights of stairs.
breathe heavily
The old wooden table was heavily loaded with books and papers.
be heavily loaded with [something]
Christopher sat down heavily on the sofa after the long flight.
Rain fell heavily on the roof throughout the entire night.
- forcefully
emphasises strength more than weight; used for deliberate, strong actions
- laboriously
suggests difficulty and effort; more formal
- ponderously
stresses slow, heavy movement; formal and slightly literary
文法句型
verb + heavily (breathe, sit, fall, load)
用法筆記
Describes physical actions involving weight or force. Typical subjects include people (breathing, sitting, walking), weather (rain), or objects that are loaded. Not used for mental or emotional weight — see sense 3.
常見錯誤
3. causing a strong emotional or mental burden that is hard to cope with — for exam
causing a strong emotional or mental burden that is hard to cope with — for example, worrying news, serious debt, or harsh criticism
The news of the accident weighed heavily on Yuki's mind for weeks.
weigh heavily on [someone]
The young couple found themselves heavily in debt after buying their first home.
be heavily in debt
Eshe felt the boss's criticism heavily and stayed quiet for the rest of the day.
The region was heavily affected by the drought that lasted three years.
- severely
suggests harshness or strictness; common for punishments and effects
- grievously
more formal and literary; suggests deep sorrow or harm
- painfully
emphasises the emotional or physical pain involved
文法句型
weigh heavily on [someone]
be heavily in [state]
verb + heavily (affect, feel)
用法筆記
Subject is often something negative — debt, worry, criticism, a crisis, bad news. Distinguish from sense 2 (WITH WEIGHT OR FORCE), which describes physical weight, not emotional burden.
常見錯誤
4. having a thick, dense, or sturdy quality — for example, areas full of trees, gla
having a thick, dense, or sturdy quality — for example, areas full of trees, glass that blocks light, or materials built to last
The mountain slopes were heavily forested with pine and fir trees.
heavily forested
Shirin wore a heavily embroidered dress at her sister's wedding ceremony.
The car had heavily tinted windows that blocked out most of the sunlight.
Quinn admired the heavily carved stone walls in the old Italian chapel.
文法句型
heavily + past participle (forested, tinted, built, carved)
用法筆記
Describes density or thickness of materials, vegetation, or built structures. Frequently pairs with past participles that denote covering, constructing, or decorating. Not used for abstract intensity — see sense 1.