19th century. Fromheft(“weight”) +-y.
The similarity withGermanheftig(“vigorous, violent, intense”) is apparently coincidental. From the German areDutch,Danish,Norwegianheftig,Swedishhäftig.
hefty (comparativeheftier,superlativeheftiest)
- Withheft; heavy,strong,vigorous,mighty,impressive
He can throw ahefty punch.
1934, Frank Richards,The Magnet, Kidnapped from the Air:The Remove dormitory echoed to the old, familiar sound of Bunter'shefty snore.
1998,The Best of San Francisco and Northern California, Gault Millau,→ISBN, page75:Fill up on some of theheftiest burritos in captivity, fashioned around grilled beef, chicken, greasy and indulgent barbecued pork al pastor, carnitas and the more exotic [things].
2009 January 20, Allan Kozinn, “Shafts of Sun in Winter From the Italian Baroque”, inThe New York Times[1]:[…] on Sunday four more violinists, a second violist and a harpsichordist were added to give the ripieno sections of the fast movements aheftier punch than the smaller group delivered.
- Strong;bulky.
They use somehefty bolts to hold up road signs.
- (of a person) Possessingphysical strength andweight;rugged andpowerful; powerfully or heavily built.
He was a tall,hefty man.
- Heavy, weighing a lot.
She carries ahefty backpack full of books.
- (of a number or amount) Large.
That's going to cost you ahefty sum.
ahefty fine
with nouns
- hefty price tag
- hefty premium
- hefty profice
- hefty price
- hefty penalty
- hefty fine
- hefty portion
- hefty salary
- hefty gain
- hefty increase
- hefty amount
- hefty sum
- hefty check
- hefty fee
powerfully or heavily built
