hefty
/ˈhefti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhefti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhef-tē/ (ame, mw)
hefty — adjective
- heftypositive
- heftiercomparative
- heftiestsuperlative
1. much larger or greater than what is normal or expected, used especially about su
much larger or greater than what is normal or expected, used especially about sums of money, costs, or physical force.
The restaurant received a hefty fine for ignoring health and safety rules.
collocation: hefty fine
Yuna's parents paid a hefty tuition fee for her first year at medical school.
collocation: hefty tuition fee
The company was hit with a hefty tax bill after the government audit.
Building a new railway line requires a hefty investment from the city government.
A hefty dose of antibiotics was needed to fight the infection.
- substantial
more formal than hefty; used for amounts and sums
- sizable
similar meaning but slightly less emphatic
- considerable
more neutral in tone; works in formal and informal contexts
文法句型
hefty + [noun]
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns that refer to money (fine, fee, bill, price, cost, investment) or measurable quantities (dose, amount, volume). It is less common after linking verbs.
常見錯誤
2. weighing a lot and being noticeably large in size, which often makes an object d
weighing a lot and being noticeably large in size, which often makes an object difficult to lift, carry, or move.
Diego struggled to lift the hefty suitcase onto the overhead luggage rack.
collocation: hefty suitcase
Farid carried a hefty stack of law books from the library to his desk.
collocation: hefty stack
The old wooden door was so hefty that Noor needed both hands to push it open.
A hefty package arrived at the door, and the driver asked for help.
The movers wrapped the hefty oak table in blankets before lifting it onto the truck.
- lightweight
opposite in both size and weight
文法句型
hefty + [concrete noun]
用法筆記
Typically used before concrete nouns describing physical objects that are both wide/large and heavy. Not used for people in this sense — see sense 3 for describing a person's build.
常見錯誤
3. having a large, strong body with noticeable physical power, so that a person can
having a large, strong body with noticeable physical power, so that a person can do hard physical work or compete in strength sports without much difficulty.
Kwame's hefty build helped him win every arm-wrestling match at the county fair.
collocation: hefty build
The moving company sent two hefty workers to carry a piano up three floors.
collocation: hefty workers
Valeria is a hefty woman who can lift heavy boxes onto the top shelf with ease.
A couple of hefty guards stood outside the VIP lounge, blocking the entrance.
Haruki's hefty shoulders and strong arms made him a natural choice for the rugby team.
- frail
opposite; suggests thinness and lack of strength
文法句型
hefty + [person noun]
用法筆記
Only used for living beings (usually people, sometimes large animals). Unlike sense 1 and 2, this sense is informal in tone. Common in everyday conversation but less appropriate for formal writing.