different between copious vs hefty

English

Etymology

From Middle English copious, from Latin copiosus, copia (“abundance”), from co- + ops (“wealth”) + -osus (“full of”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?ko?pi.?s/
• Rhymes: -??pi?s

Adjective

copious (comparative more copious, superlative most copious)

1. Vast in quantity or number, profuse, abundant; taking place on a large scale.
   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiry concerning Human Understanding. Section 3. § 18.

     These loose hints I have thrown together, in order to excite the curiosity of philosophers, and beget a suspicion at least, if not a full persuasion, that this subject is very copious,

2. Having an abundant supply.
3. Full of thought, information, or matter; exuberant in words, expression, or style.

Derived terms

• copiously
• copiousness

Translations

References

English

Etymology

19th century. From heft (“weight”) +? -y.

The similarity with German heftig (“vigorous, violent, intense”) is apparently coincidental. From the German are Dutch, Danish, Norwegian heftig, Swedish häftig.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?fti/

Adjective

hefty (comparative heftier, superlative heftiest)

1. Heavy, strong, vigorous, mighty, impressive.

   He can throw a hefty punch.

   • 1934, Frank Richards, The Magnet, Kidnapped from the Air

     The Remove dormitory echoed to the old, familiar sound of Bunter's hefty snore.

2. Strong; bulky.

   They use some hefty bolts to hold up road signs.

3. (of a person) Possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful; powerfully or heavily built.

   He was a tall, hefty man.

4. Heavy, weighing a lot.

   She carries a hefty backpack full of books.

5. (colloquial, of a number or amount) Large.

   That's going to cost you a hefty sum.

Usage notes

• Nouns to which "hefty" is often applied: price tag, premium, profit, price, penalty, fine, portion, salary, gain, increase, amount, sum, check, fee.

Translations