Definition

1. Adverb:
   • To a great degree or in large amounts: Used to indicate that something is done to an excessive, intense, or considerable extent.
   • With great weight, force, or intensity: Describes an action performed with substantial physical weight, power, or impact.
   • In a slow, laborious, or ponderous manner: Describes movement or breathing that is slow and seems difficult, as if under a burden.

Examples of Usage

• Indicating a great degree:

  • He relies heavily on his assistant for research.
  • The region is heavily dependent on tourism.
  • She was breathing heavily after running up the stairs.

• Indicating great force or weight:

  • The door closed heavily behind him.
  • It began to rain heavily in the afternoon.
  • The box fell heavily to the floor.

• Indicating a slow, laborious manner:

  • He walked heavily up the stairs, tired from the long day.
  • Time passed heavily while waiting for the news.

Advanced Usage

• "heavily armed": Equipped with many or powerful weapons.

  • The convoy was heavily armed for protection.

• "heavily in debt": Owing a very large amount of money.

  • The company found itself heavily in debt after the expansion.

• "heavily involved": Deeply engaged or participating to a great extent.

  • She is heavily involved in local charity work.

Variants and Related Words

• Heavy (adjective): Of great weight; severe or intense.

  • The suitcase was too heavy to lift.
  • Heavy traffic delayed our journey.

• Heaviness (noun): The quality or state of being heavy.

  • The heaviness of the atmosphere before the storm was palpable.

Synonyms

• Extensively: To a large or detailed degree.
• Forcefully: With strong physical power.
• Laboriously: In a way that requires considerable effort.
• Profusely: In large amounts; abundantly.

Related Phrases

• Pay heavily: To suffer severe consequences or pay a high price.

  • He paid heavily for his mistakes.

• Invest heavily: To commit a large amount of resources (money, time, effort) into something.

  • The government is investing heavily in renewable energy.

Related Idioms

• Time hangs/lies heavy (on someone's hands): Time seems to pass slowly because one is bored or has nothing to do.

  • With no work to do, time hung heavy on his hands.

• Heavy going: Difficult to understand, deal with, or make progress in.

  • The philosophical text was heavy going for the students.

Adverb

1. indulging excessively
   • he drank heavily
2. in a labored manner
   • he breathed heavily
3. slowly as if burdened by much weight
   • time hung heavy on their hands
4. in a manner designed for heavy duty
   • a heavily constructed car
   • heavily armed
5. with great force
   • she hit her arm heavily against the wall
6. in a heavy-footed manner
   • he walked heavily up the three flights to his room
7. to a considerable degree
   • he relied heavily on others' data