heap

[ heep ]

noun

1. a group of things placed, thrown, or lying one on another; pile:

   a heap of stones.

   Synonyms: collection, accumulation, stack, mass

2. Informal. a great quantity or number; multitude:

   a heap of people.

3. Slang. an automobile, especially a dilapidated one.

verb (used with object)

1. to gather, put, or cast in a heap; pile (often followed by up, on, together, etc.).
2. to accumulate or amass (often followed by up or together ):

   to heap up riches.

3. to give, assign, or bestow in great quantity; load (often followed by on or upon ):

   to heap blessings upon someone; to heap someone with work.

4. to load, supply, or fill abundantly:

   to heap a plate with food.

verb (used without object)

1. to become heaped or piled, as sand or snow; rise in a heap or heaps (often followed by up ).

heap

/ hiːp /

noun

1. a collection of articles or mass of material gathered together in one place
2. informal.
   often pluralusually foll byof a large number or quantity
3. give them heaps slang.
   to contend strenuously with an opposing sporting team
4. give it heaps slang.
   to try very hard
5. informal.
   a place or thing that is very old, untidy, unreliable, etc

   the car was a heap

adverb

1. heaps
   (intensifier)

   he said he was feeling heaps better

verb

1. often foll byup or together to collect or be collected into or as if into a heap or pile

   to heap up wealth

2. tr; often foll by with, on, or upon to load or supply (with) abundantly

   to heap with riches

Derived Forms

• ˈheaper, noun

Other Words From

• heaper noun
• heapy adjective
• over·heap verb (used with object)
• un·heaped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heap¹

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 heap fordef 3; Middle English heep, Old English hēap; cognate with Dutch hoop, Old High German houf; akin to German Haufe

Word History and Origins

Origin of heap¹

Old English héap; related to Old Frisian hāp, Old Saxon hōp, Old High German houf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. all of a heap, Informal.
   1. overwhelmed with astonishment; amazed:

      We were struck all of a heap upon hearing of their divorce.

   2. suddenly; abruptly;

      All of a heap the room was empty.

Example Sentences

When he announced last fall that he would continue his presidential run as an independent rather than as a Democrat, many in his family did not hesitate to heap on their disdain.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the monstrous heaps of twisted metal, pools of congealed oil and walls pockmarked by shrapnel, one incongruous detail catches my eye.

From BBC

A grandmother has heaped praise on a careers and skills service for helping her grandchildren by giving them direction and boosting their careers.

From BBC

The boards themselves began to degrade after just 1 month in a compost heap.

From Science Magazine

Like Sirianni, Barkley heaped praise on his blockers and invoked one of his favorite sayings: “It’s hard to be great without the greatness of others.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bundle
• clump
• jumble
• lump
• stack
• ton