Hearted appears at the end of other words to describe someone's emotional nature or attitude. A kind-hearted person shows genuine care for others. A lion-hearted warrior displays extraordinary courage. A cold-hearted villain lacks compassion or sympathy.

Someone wholehearted puts complete effort and enthusiasm into what they do. Someone half-hearted barely tries. A warm-hearted grandmother radiates affection and kindness.

Notice how the word before “hearted” shapes the entire meaning. Soft-hearted suggests someone who sympathizes easily, perhaps too easily. Hard-hearted means someone who refuses to show mercy or kindness. Stout-hearted describes someone brave and determined. Light-hearted means cheerful and carefree, while heavy-hearted means weighed down with sadness.

You'll rarely see hearted standing alone. It's a suffix that combines with other words to paint a picture of someone's character, especially their emotional tendencies and how they treat others.