Definition

1. Noun:

   • The property of being large in mass; weight, heaviness: "Heft" refers to the substantial weight or bulk of an object, often implying it feels solid and heavy when lifted.
   • Significance or influence: Informally, it can refer to the substantial importance, power, or influence of something non-physical.

2. Verb:

   • To test the weight of something by lifting it: To gauge or estimate the heaviness of an object by picking it up.
   • To lift or elevate something, especially something heavy: To raise or hoist an object, typically requiring some effort.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The heft of the antique iron skillet surprised her. (The substantial weight of the antique iron skillet surprised her.)
  • The candidate's argument lacked intellectual heft. (The candidate's argument lacked substantial intellectual weight or importance.)

• Verb:

  • He hefted the suitcase, trying to guess if it was under the airline's weight limit. (He lifted the suitcase to test its weight, trying to guess if it was under the airline's weight limit.)
  • They hefted the crate onto the truck. (They lifted the crate onto the truck.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have heft": To possess substantial weight, importance, or authority.
  • The new evidence gives his theory real heft. (The new evidence gives his theory substantial credibility or importance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hefty (adj): Large, heavy, substantial, or powerful.
  • He received a hefty fine for the violation. (He received a large fine for the violation.)

Synonyms

• Noun (for weight): Weight, bulk, mass, heaviness.
• Noun (for importance): Substance, weight, significance, import.
• Verb (for lifting): Lift, hoist, raise, haul.
• Verb (for testing weight): Gauge, judge, estimate.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Heft" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal use is typically direct: "heft something.")

Related Idioms

• "To throw one's heft around": To use one's power, influence, or physical strength in an assertive or bullying manner.
  • The new manager started throwing his heft around, making unpopular changes immediately. (The new manager started using his authority assertively, making unpopular changes immediately.)

Noun

1. the property of being large in mass

Verb

1. test the weight of something by lifting it
2. lift or elevate