How to Pronounce Heft

To pronounce "heft", say HEFT — one syllable, IPA /hɛft/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

heft

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Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/hɛft/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “heft”

"heft" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with bereft and cleft, if that helps it stick.

What does heft mean?

verb

  1. To lift with difficulty; to raise with some effort; to lift (a heavy thing).

    “We heaved the chest-of-drawers on to the second-floor landing.”

  2. To throw, cast.

    “The cap'n hove the body overboard.”

noun

  1. Weight.
  2. Heaviness, the feel of weight.

    “A high quality hammer should have good balance and heft.”

verb

  1. To lift up; especially, to lift something heavy.

    “He hefted the sack of concrete into the truck.”

  2. To test the weight of something by lifting it.

Synonyms

hoist

Hear “heft” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with heft

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

bereftcleftleftdeftthefteffedantitheftklephtkreftnefttefft

Related words

heftinessponderousnessmassivenessponderosityheavebulkweightmatter

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "heft"?▾

"Heft" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "heft"?▾

The IPA transcription of "heft" is /hɛft/.

What does "heft" mean?▾

Heft: To lift with difficulty; to raise with some effort; to lift (a heavy thing).

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