heart
gb/hˈɑɹt/ us/hˈɑɹt/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Main organ that pumps blood
The organ in the body that moves blood around.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s heart
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'heart' (the organ) with 'hurt' (to cause pain) because they sound similar.
Synonyms
cardiac organ (More technical term used in medical contexts.)
Antonyms
artificial heart (A mechanical replacement for the natural heart.)
Collocations
heart rate
|heart attack
|heart disease
|beat of the heart
Themes
health
|biology
|human body
|body
Examples
- The surgeon operated on his heart to repair a valve.
- Her heart beats faster when she runs.
- The doctor listened to the patient's heart with a stethoscope.
- He suffered a heart attack last year.
Learner examples
- The heart moves blood in the body.
- My heart beats fast when I run.
- She has a healthy heart.
- The doctor checks my heart.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Central or most important part
The middle or most important part of something.
Usage pattern:
the heart of [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners overuse 'heart' for 'center' even when 'center' is more literal and accurate.
Synonyms
core (Refers to the innermost or most essential part, often interchangeable.)
Antonyms
edge (Refers to the outer limit or periphery, opposite of central part.)
Collocations
heart of the city
|heart of the matter
|at the heart
Themes
geography
|metaphor
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They live in the heart of London.
- The heart of the problem is poor communication.
- At the heart of the plan is a desire to help the community.
Learner examples
- We live in the heart of the town.
- This is the heart of the story.
- The park is in the heart of the city.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Center of emotions and feelings
A way to talk about feelings and kindness inside a person.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse literal and figurative uses, thinking 'heart' always refers to the physical organ.
Synonyms
spirit (Refers more broadly to one's inner self or character, not just emotions.)
Antonyms
coldness (Lack of warmth or affection.)
Collocations
kind heart
|broken heart
|win someone's heart
Themes
emotions
|relationships
Examples
- She has a good heart and always helps others.
- His words broke her heart.
- He spoke from the heart during his speech.
Learner examples
- She has a warm heart.
- He broke my heart.
- I speak from my heart.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Playing card suit with red hearts
One group of cards in a deck, marked with a red heart shape.
Synonyms
hearts suit (Full name used to specify suit in cards.)
Antonyms
spades (Another suit in playing cards, opposite in symbol and color.)
Collocations
ace of hearts
|queen of hearts
Themes
games
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
Examples
- I have three hearts in my hand.
- The queen of hearts is my favorite card.
- He led with a heart in the first trick.
Learner examples
- I play a heart card.
- She has many hearts in her hand.
- The king of hearts is on the table.
Noun
A2
entity
5
Shape symbolizing love or affection
A simple picture shape used to mean love or romance.
Synonyms
love symbol (Refers more generally to any symbol representing love.)
Collocations
draw a heart
|heart emoji
Themes
symbols
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- She drew a big red heart on the card.
- Send me a heart emoji if you agree.
- The necklace has a silver heart pendant.
Learner examples
- I draw a red heart.
- He sends me a heart emoji.
- Her ring has a gold heart.
Grammar
Dictionary form
heart
IPA
GB/hˈɑɹt/
US/hˈɑɹt/
Syllables & stress
heart (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (heart)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: heart
- Plural: heart, hearts
Word family
Expressions
at heart
1/ˈæt hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
In true character or nature
Used to say what someone is really like inside, not how they act outside.
Examples
- He seems strict, but he's kind at heart.
- She's an adventurer at heart, even though she works in an office.
break someone's heart
1/bɹˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz hˈɑɹt/
idiom
Cause deep emotional pain
To make someone very sad, especially in love or friendship.
Examples
- It broke my heart to see her leave.
- He broke her heart when he ended the relationship.
cross my heart (and hope to die)
1/kɹˈɔs mˈaɪ hˈɑɹt ˈænd hˈoʊp tə dˈaɪ/
idiom
informal
Make sincere promise or swear truthfully
A phrase children often use to promise that what they say is true.
Examples
- I didn't take your book — cross my heart!
- Cross my heart, I'll be there on time.
from the bottom of my heart
1/fɹˈʌm ðə bˈɑtəm əv mˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
With complete sincerity and emotion
Used to say something with deep honesty and feeling.
Examples
- I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help.
- From the bottom of my heart, I wish you happiness.
have a change of heart
1/hˈæv ə t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ əv hˈɑɹt/
idiom
Change opinion or feeling about something
To change your mind or how you feel about something.
Examples
- She had a change of heart and decided not to sell her house.
- I was going to quit, but I had a change of heart.