Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
heartless. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
heartless, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
heartless in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
heartless you have here. The definition of the word
heartless will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
heartless, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Middle English hertles, herteles, from Old English heortlēas (“without courage; listless”), equivalent to heart + -less.
Pronunciation
Adjective
heartless (comparative more heartless, superlative most heartless)
- (obsolete) Without courage; fearful, cowardly.
1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, II.iii.7:Cecilia then, though almost heartless, resolved upon talking with Mr. Harrel himself […].
- (now rare) Listless, unenthusiastic.
- Without a physical heart.
- Without feeling, emotion, or concern for others; uncaring.
- His heartless actions and cold manner left her saddened and feeling alone.
1982 August 14, Michael Bronski, “If You Hated The Book You'll Loathe The Movie”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 5, page 11:The world is a dangerous, violent place […] and the only true refuge from this heartless world is the family.
2012 April 29, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Treehouse of Horror III” (season 4, episode 5; originally aired 10/29/1992)”, in The A.V. Club:Mr. Burns is similarly perfectly cast as a heartless capitalist willing to do anything for a quick buck, even if it means endangering the lives of those around him and Marge elegantly rounds out the main cast as a good, pure-hearted and overly indulgent woman who sees the big, good heart (literally and metaphorically) of a monstrous man-brute.
Derived terms
Translations
Anagrams