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

The authors released a heap of the seeds down an inclined plane while a camera recorded their descent to analyze their speed and the dynamics of their movement.

From Science Daily

So this new film comes heaped high with a century’s worth of heritage, in the traditions of literature, screen and stage, plus the massive expectations that come with that.

From Los Angeles Times

Similarly, the heaps of praise now coming his way for revitalising the side following Andy Robertson's last-gasp winner in Warsaw is familiar too.

From BBC

But he also heaped praise on President Xi Jinping as a “brilliant” leader ruling with an “iron fist”.

From BBC

By continuing with business as usual, the world would generate enough litter between 2011 and 2050 to cover Manhattan in a heap of plastic ten times the height of the Empire State Building.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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