Heavy describes something that weighs a lot or feels difficult to lift and move. A bowling ball is heavy, while a tennis ball is light. A stack of textbooks feels heavy in your backpack, and a piano is so heavy it takes several strong people to move it.

Heavy also describes intensity or seriousness. A heavy rainstorm drenches everything in minutes. A heavy conversation tackles difficult topics like friendship problems or family worries, rather than light chitchat about the weather. When someone sighs and says “that's heavy,” they mean the situation feels weighty and serious.

You might encounter heavy in other ways too. Heavy traffic means roads packed with slow-moving cars. A heavy sleeper doesn't wake easily, even from loud noises. Heavy metal is a style of rock music with intense, powerful guitar sounds. Food that sits in your stomach uncomfortably after a big meal can feel heavy.

The opposite is light: light objects, light moods, light topics. When something feels heavy, whether it's a suitcase or a responsibility, you feel its weight pulling at you.