Definition of Heart (meaning 1 of 5 — noun)
Quick Meaning of Heart
The muscle in your chest that sends blood around your body and keeps you alive.
Detailed Definition of Heart
The organ in the chest that pumps blood throughout the body.
How to Pronounce Heart
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: Pronounce the 'ea' as a long 'a' sound, not like the 'ea' in 'meat'.
Watch out: Some learners confuse the vowel sound with 'hirt' or 'hurt'.
Other Meanings of Heart
“Heart” has 5 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 4:
#2 Heart as a noun
A red or red-colored shape like ♥ that stands for love or shows up on Valentine's Day cards.
red heart
#3 Heart as a noun
Your emotions, feelings, and capacity to love and care about others.
follow your heart
#4 Heart as a noun
The most important or central part of a place, thing, or activity.
at the heart of
#5 Heart as a noun
The strength or bravery to do something hard or keep trying when discouraged.
have the heart to
Origin and Etymology of Heart
From Old English heorte, related to Latin cor and Greek kardía.
How to Use Heart in a Sentence
Each example shows “heart” in the meaning “The muscle in your chest that sends blood…”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“My heart beats faster when I exercise.”
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“The doctor listened to the patient's heart with a stethoscope.”
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“Regular exercise strengthens your heart and improves cardiovascular health.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Heart
Common Synonyms for Heart
Smart Synonyms for Heart — When to Use Each
- cardiac muscle
- Use in medical or technical contexts when precision
- ticker
- Use in informal speech to refer to the
Common Collocations with Heart
These phrases pair with “heart” in everyday English:
- have a heart
- break someone's heart
- heart rate
- heart attack
- open your heart
Common Mistakes When Using Heart
Even fluent speakers slip up with “heart”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: My heart is beating more faster when nervous.
- ✓ Correct: My heart beats faster when nervous.
- Why: Don't use 'more' with the comparative form 'faster'. Use only the comparative adjective.
- ✗ Wrong: I have a strong heart for sports.
- ✓ Correct: I have a passion for sports.
- Why: While grammatically possible, 'have a heart for' is archaic. Use 'have a passion for' in modern English.
Other Forms of Heart
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart
What is the meaning of "Heart"?
The muscle in your chest that sends blood around your body and keeps you alive.
How do you pronounce "Heart"?
The IPA is /hɑːrt/. Pronounce the 'ea' as a long 'a' sound, not like the 'ea' in 'meat'.
What part of speech is "Heart"?
"Heart" is a noun at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Heart"?
Common synonyms include cardiac muscle, cardiovascular organ, core organ.
How do you use "Heart" in a sentence?
For example: "My heart beats faster when I exercise."