heavily
- 1To a great degree or in large amounts, sometimes so that something becomes thick or dense.
The new policy borrows heavily from earlier reforms.
The guards at the border crossing were heavily armed.
UsageCommon with rely heavily on, depend heavily on, borrow heavily from, and for amount or degree: rain heavily, drink heavily, heavily armed.
- 2With great weight or force pressing downward.
The exhausted hiker dropped heavily onto the bench.
The anchor settled heavily into the muddy seabed.
UsageOften with verbs of falling or sitting: sit down heavily, fall heavily, land heavily.
Similarponderously
- 3In a labored manner, with visible effort or difficulty.
The old dog plodded heavily across the yard toward its bed.
He sighed heavily before delivering the bad news.
UsageOften with breathing and walking: breathe heavily, sigh heavily, walk heavily.
Similarlaboriously, wearily
Oppositenimbly
Less common meaning
- 4In a manner built to withstand demanding or rough use.
The bridge was heavily constructed to support freight trains.
Military trucks are heavily built so they can cross rough ground for years without breaking down.
UsageUsually just before a past participle, as in heavily built or heavily constructed.
Practice
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Origin
Old English had hefiġlīċe ("heavily; grievously"), which became Middle English hevely and then the modern word; it amounts to heavy plus the suffix -ly.