Phrase guide

at heart

prep_phrase · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

In spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings; deep down, fundamentally, really.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I’m a vegan at heart – the thought of the death of animals for my food is abhorrent.
  • My dad may be old on the outside, but he’s young at heart; he plays video games every now and then to improve his coordination.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: at bottom, essentially

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Wished earnestly for; held in high esteem.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I always have your best interests at heart.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adverb

Meaning 3

in reality

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she is very kind at heart

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: at bottom, deep down, inside, in spite of appearance

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: je koro — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • Finnish: sydämeltään — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • German: im Innersten — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • German: im Geiste — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • German: im Kern — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • German: tief im Herzen — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • Italian: in cuor proprio — in spirit; according to one's beliefs, views or feelings
  • Arabic: بِصَمِيم (biṣamīm) — deep down, fundamentally, really