Word: heavy (adjective)

Associations

The word "heavy" describes something that has a lot of weight. It can also refer to something that feels burdensome or difficult to deal with.

• Example 1: "The box is heavy." (This means the box has a lot of weight and is hard to lift.)
• Example 2: "She felt a heavy sadness after the news." (Here, "heavy" describes a strong emotional feeling.)
• Example 3: "The rain was heavy last night." (In this case, "heavy" means a lot of rain fell.)

A synonym for "heavy" is "weighty." The important difference is that "weighty" often refers to something that is not just physically heavy but also carries importance or significance, like "weighty issues" in discussions.

Substitution

Other words that can be used instead of "heavy" include:

• "weighty" (more formal, often used for importance)
• "bulky" (focuses on size and shape)
• "laden" (suggests being loaded with something)

Using "bulky" instead of "heavy" changes the focus from the weight to the size or shape of the object.

Deconstruction

The word "heavy" comes from the Old English "hefig," which means "having weight." It does not have a prefix but has the suffix "-y," which is used to form adjectives.

Understanding its origin helps you see that "heavy" has always been about weight and burden.

Inquiry

• Can you think of something in your life that feels heavy, either physically or emotionally?
• How do you feel when you have to lift something heavy?
• In what situations do you use the word "heavy"? Can you give an example from your own experience?