heft
/heft/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɛft] /heft/ (ame, ipa) · [hˈɛft] /ˈheft How to pronounce heft (audio)/ (ame, mw)
heft — noun
1. a solid feeling of weight when you hold or lift something in your hands.
a solid feeling of weight when you hold or lift something in your hands.
I felt the heft of the cast-iron pan as soon as I picked it up.
the heft of + noun
The suitcase looked small, but its heft surprised Esteban at the station.
The helmet's solid heft made the cheap plastic one feel unsafe.
Even wrapped in paper, the book had enough heft to bend the bag.
- lightness
the quality of feeling easy to lift because something is not heavy
文法句型
the heft of + noun
have + heft
用法筆記
Often used for how heavy something feels when you pick it up, not for the exact number on a scale. Distinguish from weight, which is the neutral everyday word for measured heaviness.
常見錯誤
2. the influence or importance that makes a person, idea, or group likely to affect
the influence or importance that makes a person, idea, or group likely to affect what happens.
Her years in local politics gave her real heft during budget talks.
give + someone + heft
The report gained more heft after two senior doctors signed it.
Without union support, the proposal lacked the heft to change company policy.
The speaker's calm style added heft to a message many people had ignored.
- insignificance
lack of real importance or power to affect the result
文法句型
have + heft
add + heft + to + noun phrase
lack + the heft + to + verb
用法筆記
Usually used about political, social, or institutional influence rather than private feelings. Common verbs are have, gain, add, and lack.
常見錯誤
heft — verb
- heftpresent simple I / you / we / they
- heftshe / she / it
- heftedpast simple
- hefting-ing form
1. to lift or move a heavy thing with your hands, usually with clear physical effor
to lift or move a heavy thing with your hands, usually with clear physical effort.
Theo hefted the sleeping bag onto his shoulder before leaving camp.
heft + object + onto + body part
Obi hefted the bucket with both hands and carried it to the truck.
Nadia hefted the wet suitcase onto the hotel bed to unpack.
The movers hefted the old sofa through the narrow front door.
- lower
to move something down rather than lift it up
文法句型
heft + object
heft + object + onto/through + place
用法筆記
Used for a short, forceful lifting movement, often before carrying or setting the object down somewhere else. The object is usually bulky or hard to handle.
常見錯誤
2. to pick something up or keep it in your hand for a moment so that you can judge
to pick something up or keep it in your hand for a moment so that you can judge how heavy it feels.
Imran hefted the melon in one hand before choosing which one to buy.
heft + object before making a choice
Sora hefted the parcel and guessed it was lighter than it looked.
The shop owner hefted the gold chain before quoting a price.
Allison hefted each dumbbell briefly to pick the right pair.
文法句型
heft + object
heft + object + before + decision
用法筆記
This sense focuses on testing weight, not moving the object far. It often appears before a decision such as buying, choosing, or pricing something.